O - Religion must focus on the external as that is where all culture is focused. It is about expected and "right" behaviors. This, in itself, is not bad … it is completely incomplete and the caboose rather than the engine of the human being. It is always good to do good and it is always bad to do bad. But such activities in themselves do not and will not shape a character or change a human heart. Just like food, these ultimately do not generate the state of unclean or clean. The state of the heart, that which is unseen, is THE determining factor in all of this. The exchange between what I do and who I am is a bit tricky and religion/culture cares nothing for it and yet Jesus says it is all the difference in this world and in the next. Jesus is addressing who I am and then through that working out the details of what I do (sometimes very messy details … even tragic details). Religion is addressing what I do (according to the current opinion) and pretends that it is the same as who I am.
History, life experience, the courts and the prisons of our world all confirm the sad result of this great fallacy. Who I am comes out when all cultural obligations and expectations are removed or refused. Who I am comes out in my thoughts which, thank the Lord, no one else sees or hears. Who I am comes out in a flash when the unexpected overtakes me and I just react. Who I am comes out when pressures or pains are exerted and the squeeze reveals the identity which was there all along. Who I am comes out under great blessings when I feel very secure and satisfied. Who I am needs serious and continuous help because I am pre-packaged as damaged goods … no point to deny it and no way to avoid it. It is to this very true human reality that Jesus, the only undamaged human, calls attention to AND calls all people to come to him in and gives his very self to change/transform. He is willing to deal with anything on the outside as long as we are welcoming his work, presence and authority on the inside. He comes to wash the inside of the cup knowing that in the process the outside will also become clean.
Religion ultimately cares only for the outside and pretends the inside is the same. Bad actions will defile a person (make both the circumstance and their condition worse) but cessation of such activities do not change the source of defilement. Good actions will protect a person from tragic consequences and even be a blessing to others, but these do not change the source of defilement. The unseen really does hold sway over the seen … a change of source can only be accomplished by the One who is over all things seen and unseen. His life, written voice and speaking voice, spirit and desire is aimed at this very thing … that we would be transformed, conformed into his Image … a process only he can do and to which he insists on our cooperation. Who he is is the point and he insists that we become like him. It begins in a moment and continues on through this age into the next. It thankfully impacts what I do but more importantly it alters who I am.
A - While working on the outside (this is good for me and my world) I am to keep my attention focused on the inside … where Jesus is working (or wanting to work) the most. He will gladly help me with outside issues but is calling me to make sure I am engaging with him the essential inside work. The shower of his grace and the shaping into his image is the dynamic and life-giving duo which he alone brings and insists I (all) engage. Life on the railroad (and this freight train is moving) is way more effective and ultimately way more fun when the engine is in the lead and the caboose is not. All aboard … all of me, inside and out, all of me, clean and unclean, all of me known and unknown are the only terms upon which Jesus will take control and pilot the freight train of my life away from train wrecks to destinations far and glorious. Unlike culture/religion … all he wants is all and he will settle for no less.
P - Lord Jesus,
I am too often focused on the outside and you, in great mercy and awesome brilliance are focused on the inside. I throw open the gates of my heart/life and invite (beg) you to enter this day and every day to see everything there is to see, to have authority over everything there is and will ever be, to do whatever is in your heart to do. I am in ongoing need of source transformation … I am in ongoing need of you piloting my life in all aspects. I am in need of your life coming into me and your will in me on earth as it happens in heaven. Please work YOUR work in me. Wash the inside of this cup … I know you will see the outside sparkle in the process. Thank you for loving me where I am and for loving me too much to leave me here. Sovereign and only Lord … I do love you back. I do need you and I want you to do whatever is in your heart to do. Help me get and keep the 2X4 out of my own eye … and make you glad.
I pray in your name, Jesus,
Steve
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