Every morning of the week I go through a specific routine.
After I wake up, spend some time reading the Bible and praying I get ready for
the day. Getting ready for the day involves a shower, brushing my teeth,
shaving, and getting dressed. When I get dressed I will either wear a nice pair
of jeans or a pair of Docker type dress pants. The shirt I wear has been to the
cleaners and is nicely pressed. I will also wear a nice pair of casual shoes
and a dress belt that matches. All of this is designed for a specific purpose;
I want to look nice and professional.
Jesus was not oppose to us looking nice and presenting
ourselves in a professional manner. However, He was greatly concerned that we
would spend so much time considering our condition on the outside and ignoring
what may be going on inside.
Jesus was once invited to dine with a Pharisee. When Jesus
sat down at the table to eat the Pharisee was astonished that Jesus did not
wash His hands. Jesus says to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of
the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You
fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also?” (Luke 11:39-40).
None of us would seek to save time by washing only the
outside of our dishes and then returning them to the cabinet. We would consider
such an act to be preposterous. However, our Lord wants us to know that our
routines, that only concern themselves with how we look on the outside, are
equally preposterous. Make sure today, as you take care of yourself, that you
do a little soul care also. Spend some time with the Lord, spend time in His
word, allow Him to speak to you, and respond in obedience. By doing this, we
will avoid being called a “fool” as the Pharisees were.
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