BE CLEANSED INSIDE AND OUT

Dearly Beloved, BE CLEANSED INSIDE AND OUT “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness’” (Luke 11:39 NKJV). How would you feel if get to a restaurant, ready to order for what you can eat, and you find out that the dishes and cup that the attendants are about to use to serve the food are only clean outside, but dirty inside? Would you allow them to use the half-clean utensils to serve you? Unfortunately, the Pharisees and many experts of the law while Jesus Christ was on earth were like those deceptive utensils. After a teaching engagement of Jesus Christ, one of the Pharisees invited Him for a meal in his house. The Pharisee was surprised that Jesus Christ did not follow the traditions of ceremonially washing His hands before the meal. He expressed his surprise. However, Jesus Christ compared him and other religious leaders to utensils that were clean outside but dirty inside. The Pharisees and other religious leaders were clean outside in their outward religious and ceremonial activities, but their lives were full of wickedness and greed against their fellow human beings. Jesus Christ did not spare them as He condemned them for this hypocritical lifestyle. He wanted them to live a life of honesty that will show concerns for less privilege and be acceptable to God. It is unfortunate that many people nowadays are like the Pharisees. They are outwardly religious, but inwardly not spiritual. Such people cannot deceive God with religious activities. Prophet Micah put it in other words: “[God] what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (6:8 NKJV). Do not be a modern-day Pharisee. Be cleansed inside and out. Do not be only religious outwardly. Be genuinely spiritual inwardly by acting honestly in your service to God and humanity. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not only be religious outwardly but also be genuinely spiritual inwardly in your dealing with God and other people around you.