- James 1:22-25
I have found that church can be a scary place. It is so easy to get caught up in the christianeze, become preachy, and become so pious that we are no longer any good to reach the world. If we make ourselves unapproachable, what good are we?
Church is scary, because it is easy to get caught up into the idea rather than living in reality. The very culture around us, in every sense, tries to draw us into a works based way of living. When our religion becomes more about the external than the internal, the words Jesus spoke to the Pharisees begin to become personal.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
- Matthew 23:25-28
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. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.”
- Luke 11:39-44
If we get caught up in the cultural ideas of church, letting our religion become superficial, then Isaiah's words come to our ears.
Therefore the Lord said:
“Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work
Among this people,
A marvelous work and a wonder;
For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work
Among this people,
A marvelous work and a wonder;
For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”
- Isaiah 29:13-14
Let our focus be on our walk with the Lord, in humility of spirit and surrender of heart, and let our outward lives simply be the reflection of the truth that lies within us. Jesus says He will take care of EVERYTHING external for us, if we will but seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The Kingdom of God is within us, so let us allow the Word to have its perfect work in us.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
- Matthew 6:33
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
- Luke 17:20-21
As God has brought conviction and caution to me, I now share the same with you. Let us be sure that the truth in our hearts is our concern, for whatever is on the inside will come out no matter what. Let us be sure also that our lives are louder than our words. Let us not get caught up in some dog and pony show, deceiving ourselves, but rather let us live in the spirit to our Lord in truth. God bless you!
