Submitted by Grenville Phillips II
Today, it seems useful to hear Jesus on who we are on the inside. This is who we really are, and whom Jesus will ultimately judge at the end of the age.
“When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” (Matthew 15:10-11)
What does this mean. Once again, we should not speculate when reading the Bible. Rather, we should let Jesus explain exactly what He means.
“Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”
“So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.”
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.” (Matthew 15:15-20)
Suppose you could put on a mask and change your identity for one day. Suppose further that you could do whatever you wanted without any consequences, and without anyone finding out. What would you do during that day? Whatever you would do would describe the real you.
Making anonymous comments on the Internet is a double-edged sword. You get to practise being the real you with a fake identity, while all readers get a front row seat to the window of your soul.
Hear Jesus explain the real you.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”
“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. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23: 25-28).
It is possible for us to appear to be a faithful Church member and a loyal employee on the outside, but a hateful person on the inside. The longer a person practises hate, the less likely that person will be able to hide their hate. Their pretend character becomes the one they show their friends and family.
Jesus repeatedly warned haters, who normally deceive themselves that they are their pretend characters, of their end. Hear Jesus.
“then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’
“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.” (Luke 13:26-28)
Some haters may have a choice. They can either repent and behave properly now, or prepare to weep and gnash teeth with their fellow haters later.
Grenville Phillips II is a Chartered Structural Engineer and President of Solutions Barbados. He can be reached at NextParty246@gmail.com
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