Jesus did not actively seek glory for himself through praise from men. Instead of saying and doing religious things that would cause Jews to admire him, Jesus actively distinguished himself from Judaism through his episodes with the money changers in the temple, by breaking religious laws, and through his many confrontations with Pharisees. It can be said, therefore, that, instead of joining a religious movement, Jesus separated himself from all religious movements and purposely avoided identification with any of them. It can be said, therefore, that Christians who identify with a religious movement (e.g. denomination, church, teacher, etc.) do so in contrast to Jesus’ teachings and practices. They say they follow Jesus but do not do as he did. That means they practice fake faith.

Through his many confrontations with Jews, Jesus purposefully set himself apart from religion. It must be said, therefore, that people who actively identify with a particular religion, and engage in religious activities that earn praise from coreligionists in any religion, do so in stark contrast to Jesus’ habits and teachings. People who follow religious  laws religion, therefore, practice fake faith because what they do does not agree with what Jesus said or did.

Clergy and laity of all religions, including Christianity, brand themselves with clothing, jewelry and behaviors that identify their religious associations. Religious institutions, both large and small, would not survive unless they had recognizable identities and reputations which they consciously work to develop and promote. They do whatever they can do to establish and increase (i.e. market) their public images. When he broke religious laws and confronted religious authorities, Jesus showed that he was not at all concerned about his public image. Christians who say and do things that make them look good in the eyes of their coreligionists do not do what Jesus did. They practice fake faith.

Similarly, religious leaders would not be able to get jobs or attract faithful followers who will purchase their religious products or services unless they looked good or unless people said nice things about them. They need to have strong, charismatic influence on coreligionists or they will not get hired to preach, teach or direct religious rituals. Doing the right religious things (e.g. wear the right clothing and ornaments and use the right religious language, practice the right behaviors, etc.) is necessary for them to establish and maintain success in the religious world.

The need and desire to be loved and respected is contrary to what Jesus taught and practiced. Jesus expected to be hated and he predicted that his followers would be hated also and put out of religious institutions. Thus it can be said that religious people, whether clergy or laity, who are careful to develop and maintain good reputations so that coreligionists will respect them and say good things about them are false prophets — not true prophets like Jesus. They practice fake faith.

Here are more of Jesus’ teachings about praise of men:

Luke 16:15 And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.

COMMENTARY: Religious people demonstrate their righteousness (i.e. justify) by practicing their righteousness in ways and in places that other religious people will see and hear them. Jesus contrasts this practice with God’s way of proving righteousness which is to test the heart.

What men look at and highly regard is religious behavior that they can see. Religious behavior which man esteems is detestable to God. Religious behaviors, therefore, are fake faith. They are the substance of things seen and not true faith which cannot be seen by anyone except God because only God knows the condition of the heart.

STUDY TIP: See Public Religion and Making a Name for Yourself.

Romans 2:27-29: Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For he is not a real Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. 29 He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spiritual and not literal. His praise is not from men but from God.

COMMENTARY: Those who are physically uncircumcised keep God’s spiritual laws because his  laws are written on their hearts. They are New Covenant disciples. Those who have the written code follow religious laws made by men but break God’s spiritual laws.

Real Jews are spiritual Jews — not ethnic or religious Jews. Spiritual Jews are not concerned about physical circumcision or any other physical, religious activity or symbol. Spiritual Jews understand that God is only concerned with the condition of the heart — not with the flesh (i.e. religion). Spiritual Jews do not seek praise (i.e. affirmation) from men who will reward them for their religious behaviors. Spiritual Jews are content with the knowledge that God knows their hearts. Their reward is spiritual life that comes through God’s spoken word.

Religious people who receive praise from other religious people for their faithful religious activity practice fake faith. Jesus was under no compulsion to obey Jewish religious laws. In fact, Jesus broke Jewish religious laws. That is why he was crucified. People who obey religious laws are not like Jesus. They practice fake faith.

STUDY TIP: See Circumcision and Israel, Jerusalem, Jews, Christians and Gentiles.