Clean the inside!

S - Scripture     

Matthew  23 v. 26  You blind Pharisee!! First cleanse the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

 

O - Observation 

Inside out.  Jesus makes it rather clear to the Pharisee's how faith should be, from the inside out vs. the outside in. So it must be for us. Think about the good we do, what's our motivation? Is it for self satisfaction, a feeling of importance, civic duty?  Jesus asks us to make sure that our inside, our heart, our motivation is focused on God. The heart is the cornerstone of our faith. 1 Corinthians 13 v. 13 says that love is the greatest of faith, hope and love.  Hmmm.... Love is shown with a heart. Jesus also recognizes that the heart is exposed. Matthew 15 v. 19 For out of the Heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witnesses, slander. Ouch!!! No wonder Jesus encourages us to cleanse the inside of the cup.  How do I do this? By thinking pure thoughts. By dwelling on God. By asking God to be the center of our lives.

 

A - Application  

Am I keeping clean the inside of my cup?       

 

P - Prayer      

Jesus, give me the SOAP to cleanse the inside so that my outside is pure.  Love Will.