Inside out
- 15 hours ago
- 2 min read
Mark 7:21-23 NKJV
For from within, out of the heart of human beings, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, [22] thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. [23] All these evil things come from within and defile a man."
Psalm 51:10 NKJV
Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
We see the ever increasing march of governments trying to enforce what they deem to be right upon us from the outside via Draconian rules and regulations. Little do they realise that right living and loving attitudes cannot be legislated.
The heart of each one of us is:
"deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV
Our natures are fallen, deceitful and corrupt with rebellious desires. The Lord sees this. That's why Jesus told Nicodemus:
"I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God."
John 3:3 NLT
We need a spiritual makeover, to be cleaned from the inside out.
Only a work of the Holy Spirit can do this:
Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. John 3:6 NLT
Legislate to your heart's content, but the inside of each individual remains untouched.
Jesus starts from the inside out, bringing us each to the end of ourselves at the Cross and then making us brand new people, with brand new hearts and desires.
That's how nations are transformed - one person at a time - each becoming little receptacles of the Holy Spirit spreading God's Presence everywhere.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. [27] And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.
This the Promise to the people of Israel which Jesus extends to us all who will listen.
Have you had your spiritual makeover? It's yours for the asking.
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