Unclean Heart?

Luke 11:37-43  "When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table.  But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised.  Then the Lord said to him, 'Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness,  You foolish people!  Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?  But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.  Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God.  You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.  Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.' "

Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?... 

We can wash up and look so nice and clean from the outsider's point of view.  We can carry our Bibles with us as we walk through the church doors because that's what a good Christian does... But do we even open it during the week?     * Psalm 119:11  "I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you."


We can find lots of good things to do in the community.  Others may see us and think we have such servant hearts.  But what is our motivation?     * Ephesians 6:7  "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men."  


We can count out a portion of our pay check each month and give it to the church.  The Bible says to, doesn't it?     * 2 Corinthians 9:7  "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 

...but you neglect justice and the love of God.


* Deuteronomy 6:5 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
* Matthew 22:37-38 "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  The second is like it:  'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
* Ephesians 5:1-2 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Jeremiah 9:24 " 'but let him who boasts boast about his: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,'  declares the Lord."