November 26, 2016: SOAP #2550:  Matthew 23-25

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 23:25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. 27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.

Observation:   A life that is acceptable to God starts on the inside.  The inside is always more important than the outside!  The inside sets the standard for the outside.  If the inside is good, the outside will not be allowed to remain bad.  If the inside is bad, the outside can be made to look good to hide the inside.  So, cleaning up the outside is not a guarantee that the inside will follow.

Application:  I must remember that God lives inside me and is the first to become aware of my thoughts and attitudes.   By the time they get to the outside where others see them, they are often made more acceptable, but God sees them from the beginning.  If I want God to feel at home in my life, I will need His help in rearranging my thoughts and attitudes.  If I set myself to know His Word and to keep myself aware of His presence, I will be able to count on His help in setting both the inside and the outside of my life in proper order.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, how I need your help to clean up the inside, to keep it clean, and to express Your life on the outside.  I want you to feel at home in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!