Cleanliness of Life!

Some Pharisees questioned Jesus regarding His disciples after seeing them eat with unwashed hands. ( Matthew 15:1-2) Jesus took these leaders to task over how they had upheld their traditions while at the same time would set aside God’s Law. ( Matthew 15:3-9) It wasn’t that washing hands was not a good idea before eating. We understand its significance today in keeping from spreading disease, especially when handling food. The problem was that this washing had become a “religious” requirement before eating and was seen as the means to keep from defiling oneself spiritually. Jesus, continuing to talk with the people tried to help them understand it was not what went into the mouth, but what came out of the mouth that defiled a person. ( Matthew 15:10-11) Jesus pointed to the mouth as both the instrument of taking in food and of conversation. Peter then asked for even further explanation to which Jesus responded that the basic principle of food is it passes the lips, goes into the stomach, and then is expelled from the body. ( Matthew 15:16-17) However, the thing that can defile is what comes back out FROM THE HEART. Jesus then listed a number of things that flow from the heart that reveal an individual is impure. ( Matthew 15:18-20)

Our digestive system hopefully functions smoothly, just the way God created it to. However, we must be even more concerned that our HEART (spiritual focus) is functioning as God intended. Though we ought to give thought to eating healthily (which includes in moderation), it is the heart condition that determines whether or not we have become defiled. It’s not so much a matter of food or the washing of hands as it is what “PROCEEDS FROM THE HEART.” ( Matthew 15:17 ESV)

What is our paramount focus in life? Are we more concerned with bodily cleanliness than we are with purity of heart? Do we have washing rituals we are diligent in carrying out while we neglect the same diligence regarding the condition of our HEART?

Paul, attempting to get the Corinthian brethren to focus on what mattered most exhorted…
“‘Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food’ -- and God will destroy both one and the other. THE BODY IS not MEANT for sexual immorality, but FOR THE LORD, and the LORD FOR THE BODY.” ( 1 Corinthians 6:13 ESV)

Cleanliness may be close to godliness, but it is not godliness. It is possible for the body to be clean and diet to be good while the heart is full of uncleanness! If we continue to be more diligent regarding focusing the HEART and what is done with our body as being meant “for the Lord”, we will be steered away from that which does defile. May our religion truly be the uniting of our HEART with God!

Have a great day MAINTAINING A HEART RESERVOIR OF GODLINESS FROM WHICH TO DRAW!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Morality