Today’s Reading: Matthew 23:23-31
Today’s Verse: Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew 23:26 KJV
Many think that looking good starts from the outside.
It really starts from the inside.
The Father does not want us to exhibit an outward appearance that does not truly reflect what is on the inside.
When it does not reflect all that, He has established in the Word.
When we have a heart and mind that is filled with His spiritual knowledge everything will always look good.
Unfortunately, there are many who do not see it this way.
Their only desire is to look good on the outside. Giving the wrong impression of their true nature. It can be seen as their way of taking advantage of others.
Making it hard for those who are really working for His good to reach the people around them.
It is hard for individuals to accept the Word when we are not living according to It.
Jesus had a problem with this type of attitude.
He addressed this issue with the religious leaders in Jerusalem (Matthew 23).
They were following their own set of religious rules. Ones that went against those that God had given them.
They were working hard to look good to other leaders.
They had convinced themselves that they were better than others.
Their actions did not impress God. He was extremely disappointed with them.
Jesus had a warning for them.
He said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess” (Matthew 23:25 KJV).
He gave them a way to correct this problem.
He told them, “Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matthew 23:26 KJV).
He needed the Pharisees to see that they were not making themselves look good. They were actually revealing that they were not good at all.
The Father’s values goes beyond human understanding.
Outward motives can appear to keep the outside clean, but the inside is filthy.
Our Spiritual health is expressed from the inside out.
It goes beyond our desires to look good to others.
Our Father values a clean heart. He wants all our motives to be pure and fruitful.
Ones that inspire others to come to Him.
Showing all that is good of the Lord.
Clean inside. That is what He wants for all of us.
When this happens a change will come. A tremendous change in the way we carry ourselves.
It will be seen by others. Hopefully, giving them the desire to change their ways too.
A newness in life.
It will always come when our hearts and spirits are made new.
The Fathers values each our lives.
A value that is not measured by what others see.
The more we live by the Word, our worth to the kingdom grows.
No one should desire to be the one that looks good on the outside without really being good on the inside.
In this life, being a good example for the Lord is our goal.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Savior, You know us for who we are. You know the underlying reasons for our actions. Our hearts are open before You. We do not want to outwardly appear to be righteous unto men, when we know we are not. There are changes to be made in our lives. Cleanse us from the inside out. Help us to live as You did. Let it be with a pure and true Heart. We want to have a positive inside reflected on the outside. We want Your ways to be seen by others. Making it where it is passed down from generation to generation. Thank You for cleansing us and making us whole.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen