Determined
to Share by Melanie
Rigney
Rather, we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares
for her children. With such affection for you, we were determined to share with
you not only the Gospel of God but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved
had you become to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)
You have searched me and you
know me, Lord. (Psalm 139:1)
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you
hypocrites. You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full
of plunder and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the
cup, so that the outside also may be clean." (Matthew 23:25-26)
Piety
Lord, I offer gratitude for the
times in which You show me the inside of my dirty, dirty cup… and how to clean
it.
Study
Parents know their children—not only
how cute they are and how smart they are, but also the traits that are challenging.
Maybe it’s stubbornness, maybe it’s crankiness, maybe it’s selfishness, maybe
it’s a propensity to tattle. The most loving of parents celebrate their
children’s unique gifts, but also help them work on the rough spots to become
even better people. That’s what love is.
Jesus uses strong language to
describe the scribes and Pharisees. He accuses them of internal blindness, of
being hypocritical. And yet despite His words, we know there is nothing He
wants more than for these misguided leaders to change their ways. He wants with
all His might that they would cleanse their hearts and souls so they can share
in the hope of eternal life. Remember that He wants that with all His might for
us as well. But we have to be willing to accept that gift, and the loving
correction that comes with it.
Action
Ask the Lord
to show you where He desires to purify you. Then listen.
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