What's Inside?

 I know we have all probably heard the old saying, "You can't judge a book by its cover." That is so true. Before we judge a book, we have to read it and find out what is on the inside. Then, we really know the book. The same is true of people. Some people are very attractive on the outside, but when we get to know them, we see they live very unattractive lives. The goal for all of us should be to have a very righteous heart that shows through in our outward appearance and actions.

Jesus was very bold when He spoke to the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders. He gave them an accurate description of themselves, and they couldn't argue with Him. What He said was very true. (Matthew 23:28) On one occasion Jesus told them that outwardly they appeared to be righteous, but inside they were full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. We must all make sure this description doesn't fit us.

Hypocrisy is looking one way on the outside while being completely different on the inside. It is putting on a mask to hide who were are. It is saying one thing but thinking the opposite in our heart. God sees right through hypocrisy, because He judges our hearts. We must never put on a show for other people. We must speak and act upon what is in our heart. If what is in our heart is sinful, we need to get our hearts right. Otherwise, Jesus can't bless us.

Also, we need to make sure that we are not full of lawlessness on the inside. Lawlessness is when we convince ourselves that certain of God's laws do not apply to us. We think we are good enough or we know better than God, so we do not have to follow what He has said is always right. We can never be pleasing to God when we spurn His laws, and we do things our way. We must get rid of that notion and obey all of God's laws from a humble heart.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 24-26.