“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25).
We all shall age and at the end of this life, be worn out. The arrogance of youth will be replaced with the wisdom of old age. Who are you on the inside? Every generation is filled with pretense, but the stages of life continue despite arrogant dreams. Take from others and live for the self? The Lord calls for us to have a new and clean heart. The Lord gives us a renewed life that we may live into the life to which we have been called.
Why do you strive for what does not matter while not living in the truth which does matter? Why indeed. The illness of this world is deep, but deeper still is the grace of our Lord who will free us from the sickness that leads to death. Take the new life that Christ gives and live into a true life. It is who you are deep down, your character, that matters. Pleasures are for a moment, but the life given by Christ is eternal.
Lord Jesus, You know the struggles of my heart. Guide me into all goodness and mercy so that I live according to Your word. Take away the hypocrisy that is in me and create one who is seeking after Your own heart, seeking for true love and justice. Help me to follow You, Lord Jesus, so that I may be led by all that is true and right. Keep me always, dear Savior, in the way of everlasting life. Amen.
