Over the past week, I had several tests that looked at my “insides.” One was a brain MRI to determine the cause of my vision challenges. The other was a bone density test. As I await the results, I started to think about my insides. It got me to thinking…and asking a few questions. (Click here to listen to this message.)
Over the past week, I had several tests that looked at my “insides.” One was a brain MRI to determine the cause of my vision challenges. The other was a bone density test. As I await the results, I started to think about my insides. It got me to thinking…and asking a few questions.
1. What’s really on the inside of each of us?
2. Do our insides match our outsides and, if not,
3. What can we do to improve?
For the past year or so, I have been reading a ton of books as well as watching teachings on the topics of spiritual growth, living the kind of life Jesus died for us to live, and healing the soul.
My goal? To ensure that my insides match my outsides. To ensure that I am actually walking out what I talk to you and others about regarding faith, Jesus, the Bible, etc.
The last thing I want to be is a hypocrite – telling you to do something that I’m not doing. Ugh!
Jesus spoke about this very thing to the Pharisees of His time – the religious people who claimed a “holier than thou” attitude but treated others who were not of their stature as less than.
In other words, they were talking the talk, but not walking the walk. Their outsides did not match their insides. Here’s what Jesus had to say about them:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27 NKJV)
Eeks! Kinda harsh words from Jesus – yet they were accurate.
These scholars – and yes, they were scholars – were full of the knowledge of God’s Word in their brains, but they didn’t have the love of God in their bones. (2 Timothy 3:5)
Hmm…brains and bones.
This is why they didn’t (or couldn’t) recognize who Jesus was when He walked among them. This is why they called Him a liar when He claimed to be the Son of God. They were so wrapped up in the rules and regulations of The Law that they could not grasp Jesus’ message of love and forgiveness.
The Word of God and a relationship with our Father in heaven have the power to completely transform your life. I’ve seen it in countless people, and I’ve seen it in my own, BUT…
There will be no transformation without faith. There will be no better life without fully receiving all God has for us and that includes His unconditional love for His creation (us).
Over the past few days, I’ve heard two ministers say that the most important thing we can do in this life is to really know how much God loves us. Why is this so critical?
Because perfect love (God’s love) casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).
When we doubt His love for us or think we are unworthy (which we are but Jesus fixed that), then we walk through life wobbly, unsure of where to go, what to do, who we are.
This leads to a life of works – trying to earn God’s love. To be good enough to be loved. I grew up thinking God was mad at me and so I totally get this.
Here’s the truth – God is love. He’s full of love. In fact, His “insides” are bursting with so much love that He can’t help but pour it out on us (John 3:16). Wow!
This week, I’d like to encourage you to focus on the love of God. Take one or two Scriptures about His love and park on them. Here are a few: (click them to view) John 3:16, 1 John 4:19, Romans 8:38-39. Speak them out loud. Write them down on Post-it notes. Ask God to show you how much He loves you in new ways.
Get His love so deeply inside of you that MRI’s and X-rays would show nothing else. Then, let it spill out to your outsides and watch how your life transforms.