Matthew 23:25-26 NLT:
“How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy - full of greed and self-indulgence! Blind Pharisees! First wash the inside of the cup, and then the outside will become clean, too.”
Most of my life I have been an excellent rule-follower. As a teenager and young adult, I think I did a good job of presenting to all those around me (especially other Christians) just how Christian I was. My first car was basically held together by Christian bumper stickers. My closet was filled Christian t-shirts and only Christian music would play on my stereo. I helped out with the youth group, was a missionary for several years, and then became a youth pastor. The outside of my cup was sparkling! If ever I thought I was not good enough throughout the week, I would really press in during worship and make sure God could see how much I loved him by how intensely I worshiped.
Philippians 1:11 NLT:
“May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
Eventually God helped me see that he does not care about my Christian t-shirts nearly as much as he cares about the inside of my cup. The fruit of my salvation and how I live my life is what brings glory to God. It is not what I do on Sunday mornings as much as it is what I do the rest of the week. I was more concerned with looking like a Christian than actually following Christ’s example. Not saying a single swear word, wearing a Christian t-shirt, only listening to Christian music, and then judging both non-Christians and Christians alike for not being like me is about as pharisaical as one can get in our current culture. Jesus would have called me a hypocrite. Ouch!
One of my current favorite Christian thinkers, Skye Jethani, said “the truth of our faith isn’t revealed by what we proclaim but by how we live. The true fruit of the Christian life isn’t the articulation of right doctrines, but the demonstration of right behaviors.”
Loudly proclaiming to the world how “Christian” I am does not bring any glory to God. Loving my neighbor, helping those in need, listening to others, respecting others, and overall living out truth in love is what brings glory to God.
Isaiah 58:1-12 shows that God has always cared about the inside of the cup and not just a clean outside. The people asked God why he isn't impressed with their fasting. “It’s because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting.” It goes on to say “the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help…Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be bright as day.”
God, forgive me for focusing on the outside of my cup and neglecting the inside. Help me to first wash the inside of me so that you may be glorified. Help me through my actions show love to others and help point them to your gracious mercy and acceptance.