Inside Not Outside

First clean the inside of the cup and plate that the outside may also be clean. Matthew 23:26

I can pretend that I am good and clean, I can do acts of righteousness but still be full of judgement, arrogance, all manner of sin.

What makes me clean? Accepting the gift of forgiveness that Christ gives. First I have to admit that I have a need, that I am a sinner in need of salvation.

Before I had such an encounter I did the religious thing. I went to church and confession, participated in the religious dogma but knew deep inside I lacked life.

Now that I have Christ I must continually go to Him and not again try to be righteous and start to judge others.

I cannot pretend to be righteous and be full of rottenness as it will show.

Jesus was giving the Pharisees a tongue lashing in the verses around the above scripture. Because they were leaders they were abusing their position and pretending to be right with God.

The cleansing of forgiveness is pure and peaceable. Forgiveness can only flow when there is genuine repentance. You know it is there when the darkness of soul is gone, all gone.