Don't Just Clean The Outside Of The Cup

"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 the bones of the dead and everything unclean.  In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." - Matthew 23:27-28

The tendency of human nature - our sinful nature is to become more sinful - not less. Transformation happens on the inside and is demonstrated on the outside. The United States is not a Christian nation, although the majority of the world thinks it is, at least in name. Our country was founded on Biblical precepts but also declared the right for people to believe whatever they wanted to believe - to practice the religion of their choice. I read this report from NBC news recently.

"the U.S. has grown even more secular in the eight years since Obama left office, with a record 28% of adults now identifying as religiously unaffiliated, according to the Pew Research Center, surpassing evangelical Protestants and Catholics to now be the largest religious group in the country. As recently as 2007, when Obama was preparing his first presidential run, the religiously unaffiliated — who include people who identify as atheists, agnostics and “nothing in particular” — made up just 16% of the country in Pew’s data. And presidential historian Michael Beschloss said Americans have grown more cynical about their politicians and what their religious affiliations might say about their character. “We’ve learned a lot about a lot of politicians who seemed to be very religious but did not necessarily follow the tenets of their faith in one way or another,” said Beschloss, noting religion has become as much about policy as personality. “So, for many people, religion may no longer say much about someone’s personal character.” NBC News

That is not just a problem for politicians. To be a politician you must be willing to compromise. So too for people who are not politicians. Or at least that is what one might be led to believe. Go along to get along. Cooperate and graduate. The Pharisees promoted a faith that they, themselves, were unwilling to practice. Do as I say and not as I do. What the world needs to see are people who are demonstrating their faith by the way they live and the choices they make. Being as vocal about what they are for as they are for what they are against. 

"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. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." Matthew 23:25-26

As a Christian you do not hold the majority view on issues of morality and justice. And you shouldn't. You will always be part of the minority. 

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - Matthew 7:13-14

While we were serving in Haiti, we often hiked into remote areas. On one such trip I saw the gate shown in the picture included in this post. It reminded me that as much as I want all to believe, not all will believe. But some will. Be the light. Resist compromise. Stand for the truth, as God has revealed it, not as our culture defines it. Let your life be a reflection of your heart and faith. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone