I am concerned about what others can see of me. And I’m concerned about what others think they can see of me. To put it another way, I’m concerned about my reputation and my testimony.

But what about what other people cannot see? In other words, what about the real me? That is, the Mark Roth that God sees?

“Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Matthew 23:26).

Clean the inside first. Good point.

“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:28).

Outward righteousness is very important, but only as it reveals genuine inward righteousness. Another good point.

But I can’t do the cleaning!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

Great!

Posted: November 30

So many of the religious folks Jesus interacted with were not getting it.

They studied and memorized and discussed the Scriptures. But they failed to understand them properly.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29).

It seems their knowledge of the Scriptures was a head knowledge only. They did not open their hearts to God’s Word nor to His power. They had no personal experience with God.

So they erred.

May my approach to the Word be more than intellectual (that is, with my head).

May I open my heart, intending to make what I read part of me.

Otherwise, I too shall err.

Posted: November 29