THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:14-23
“It is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come.” (Mark 7:21)
According to Jesus, it is not ritual purity that concerns God, but heart purity.
Avoiding pork, or symbolic hand-washing – this doesn’t make you holy or unholy.
The OT Laws were symbolic reminders that not everything is good for us.
There is sin (uncleanness) and morality (cleanness), and we must avoid sin.
Jesus points beyond the symbol to the meaning of holiness.
Jesus’ life and teaching is our standard of holiness, not the ritual laws of Moses.
Ritual and religion are shadows of the spiritual reality in Jesus (Colossians 2:16-17).
Focus on your heart, your motives, your desires, your attitudes – are these clean?
As Jesus followers we are the first to admit that they are not.
But with Jesus we have both forgiveness AND renewal; our hearts can be purified.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Do you want your heart to be purified from greed, pride, lust, anger or selfishness?
The good news is that with Jesus we can change… if we let Him in!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, there are still traces of evil in my heart that I need to deal with. Help me to believe that You can and will help me, if I am willing to let You!