Have you seen how good you look?
Who needs Jesus and Grace when you look that good?
What if we just keep up our good looks?
“But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.” Luke 11:38-41
Your outside looks Good! In fact you attend church, give to the poor , go on mission trips and you are against all those wicked sins in the world – we know this because of the bumper stickers on your car! – And you are lost as a goose in a snow storm!
Why do I say this? Read above!
The Pharisees kept the law better than you or I ever could. That was their whole job – to keep the law! In fact the law and looking right were so important to them that when Jesus dared to Not wash before a meal which was very much part of the law – they noticed! It’s kind of like an unclean hooker walking into a church!
Can’t you just hear the people saying, “Shouldn’t she wash first or be more presentable?”
The single greatest danger to the church isn’t going too far with God’s Love and Grace – it’s going too small with God’s Love and Grace!
The outside for the “law keeper” must always look right and good – the problem is as I am constantly made aware by those of my friends still under the law – that becomes a comfort zone that won’t allow God’s Love and Grace to grow!
My friend the law is a valuable tool! It gets your to see your need for Christ and know His Goodness and Free Gift of taking away All condemnation – but that Gift is Only experienced if you let go of the law!
The Greatness of God will never be known to you if you are busy polishing the outside of your cup because you didn’t put it down and let the Blood of the Lamb fill it! Stop polishing and start resting!
