While we
were out for a family drive, a spotless white sign with perfect red lettering
caught my attention: “Gutters and Windows—Quality Work Guaranteed.” The sign
was pristine, but I feared the house and barn directly behind it might collapse
at any moment. The paint was peeling, the windows were cracked, and the gutters
were nonexistent!
Many of
us “advertise” for Jesus, but our spiritual houses are in disrepair. We may
attend church, speak in “Christianese,” and mingle nicely with others. But when
our conduct does not align with our hearts, our first-class behavior is just a
performance of piety. When Jesus confronted the Pharisees, He said, “You . . .
outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and
lawlessness” (Matt. 23:28).
Jesus had
a different but equally direct message for His followers: “Do not be like the
hypocrites” (6:16). The Bible encourages us to “love from a pure heart . . .
and from sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5). These
inner attitudes should pour out through our words and actions (Luke 6:45).
Today,
consider the state of your spiritual house.
If people
look beyond the beautiful outward display, will they discover an authentic
heart? (RBC)
