In any relationship, we want the other person to exercise sincerity.
No one wants a pretentious person because we know that whatever they do is not out of a willing and sincere heart. Many people claim Christianity because they are religious and may have been raised in religious households. Being religious or spiritual seems to be the one thing that is coveted above any other when it comes to our belief and worship of God. Many people flock to the Churches, give their tithes and offerings, participate in worship services, and even quote the Scriptures to show how much they are devoted to God. Outward religious devotion is what many people express, and they consider it to be the hallmark of genuine and sincere faith.
The Gap between External Religion and Inward Devotion
Unsurprisingly, the false idea of outward religious devotion leads to a pretentious life or a subconscious mockery of God. Therefore, God exists as a cosmic genie whose name is invoked in many circumstances, even when unrighteousness is being carried out. Many people who involve themselves in outright unrighteous acts invoke God's name, either seeking safety in the act or expressing gratitude for those acts. For example, many young people who identify as "Christians", offer prayers to God before engaging in sexual sin, hoping they avoid pregnancies, STDs, or even the shame and guilt that comes with pre-marital affairs. We also see the same mannerisms expressed by celebrities, those who are perceived by the young as role models, who live a perverse lifestyle but owe the success of their grandiosity and careers to God. Thus, many have fallacious ideas of the relationship one who claims Christianity or has a personal relationship with God is to have with Him.
Our Similarity with the Israelites
Many have opted to act like Israel during the prophet Isaiah's time. The people of Israel followed the Old Testament ordinances that God commanded in offering sacrifices, observance of festivals and conducting rituals. Still, God was angry at them (Isaiah 1:11-16) because they had turned what God had commanded into mere outward performances. Israel acted hypocritically towards God because they veiled their unrighteousness with religious acts. It is not only recorded in the Old Testament that people acted hypocritically but also in the Gospels. Jesus is recorded pointing out those who act in like manner in giving alms, prayer, and fasting (Matthew 6: 1-16) as they sort people's praise.
Further, not only is hypocrisy revealed in acting outwardly but also in speech (Isaiah 29:13; Ezekiel 33:31; Matthew 15:7-9) as Scripture shows the reality of what is done by many who claim to know God. Thus, it is apparent that people can practice a false spirituality or merely perform outward religious acts without sincerity of heart. The unrighteousness of the heart is often veiled in religious acts or conversations.
Marks of Sincere Faith
First, sincere faith must produce real fruit in a Christian’s life. A Christian who delights in having a true and sincere relationship with God must act in a manner consistent with holiness and righteousness. True, sincere faith cannot result in hypocrisy but shows itself in proper devotion to God, both in conduct and speech. Paul instructs Timothy to set an example to believers; he should show the effects of true faith in his daily life (1 Timothy 4:12), which is the true mark of sincere faith. Knowing God or claiming a relationship with Him has to be seen in the fruit that faith produces in the Christian's life. True sincerity is then shown in obedience to what God commands.
Secondly, sincere faith must acknowledge that it is God who dictates how we relate with Him. Like in every human relationship, sincerity is vital as a true mark of genuine friendship, and so is the relationship between a Christian and God. However, God cannot be subject to human standards because He is the creator and transcends humanity. While human relationships are symbiotic, it is humans who need God (Acts 17:28) as we are His subjects. The character of our relationship and its nature is dictated by God (Isaiah 45:9), for He is the creator, and we are His creatures. In the God-man relationship, God demands that we obey His commands if we claim to have a relationship with Him. In the hypocrisy of the Israelites during Isaiah's prophecy (1 Samuel 15:22), the Israelites had forgotten what Samuel had told Saul: obedience is better than sacrifice. Samuel illustrated to Saul that outward religious performances are meaningless if not accompanied by a sincere and reverent heart. It is very easy to perform outward acts when seeking to please God, but God demands a pure and sincere heart, as David declared after his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51:16-17) when he sought God's forgiveness.
Finally, sincere faith must reveal a truly regenerate heart. The Pharisees were termed hypocrites (Matthew 23) because, in their supposed zeal for God, they were excellent at outward performances but never sincere in their devotion to God. The Pharisees were religious and strictly adhered to Mosaic ordinances but were never really concerned about their heart's condition. Jesus, in one instance, when He was addressing the Pharisees (Matthew 23:27-28), pointed out to them the condition of their hearts. It is easy to appear beautiful outwardly and claim devotion to God, but it remains meaningless to God unless sincere faith follows it. True, sincere faith produces real fruit, which is visible in the life of a Christian (Matthew 7:16-20) and can portray true devotion to God. While we can twist our words and actions to suit our desires and coat them with some form of godliness, we deceive ourselves.
What Then?
Everyone who identifies as a Christian should cultivate a sincere faith, which means that we cannot involve God in our unrighteous acts as if He were merely a cosmic genie bending to our whims and desires. When addressing the Galatians (Galatians 6:7), Paul clearly warns that we cannot mock God. God expects those who claim to have a relationship with Him should pursue a holy and righteous life but not use a fallacious form of godliness to indulge in wickedness. Thus, an authentic and wholehearted devotion to God must show itself in the life of anyone who claims to have a relationship with God and must come from a sincere proclamation of faith.
