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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 15, 2005 What defiles a person? |
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Frontline Devotion for Saturday, January 15, 2005 By Mike
Martine
Matthew
15: 1-20
The concern with the traditions of Judaism on the part of the Pharisees seems a
bit trivial to us in this day and age, even though these traditions were
well-intentioned and good practice from the point of view of physical health.
Jesus, however, cuts the argument of the Pharisees to the quick. He states
conclusively that being “clean” before God is not a matter of what you’ve
eaten or how you’ve bathed. It’s a matter of what comes out of you. What
defiles us, in other words, is the sin that comes out of our minds, hearts, and
mouths.
So…what defiles you? I happen to be tremendously good at sin, but I guess if I
had to break it down, I’d say that I’m defiled by the worry that comes out
of me. Worry that shows I want more control over my environment. Worry that
shows I don’t leave enough to the grace of God. Worry that reveals my lack of
faith. After worry, I would say that anger defiles me. My worry makes me
insecure and then I become upset—at the kids, my wife, my (late) dog, etc….
I get angry and am defiled—far less than a perfect, or even decent, creature
of the Lord.
We all, constantly, defile ourselves. Our gift of sinning is deep within us.
Mother Eve might have picked the apple (or whatever it was) and eaten it, but
Jesus reveals that the “apple” is always growing in us. We don’t have to
pick it or eat it—it’s just there, waiting to pop out.
But Jesus also brings the cure. Just as sin lies deep within us, Jesus brings
the cure to the very root of our souls. Joining with us in spirit, cleansing us
with his blood even as we sin, constantly making us right before God despite the
trash that often comes forth from our lips.
It’s like the bumper sticker says, “Christians aren’t perfect, just
forgiven.” I, for one, will admit that I hate it (hate it, hate it) when
cutesy bumper stickers are right. But…that is one cutesy bumper sticker that
is right.
You are forgiven. You are free. Go forth today and live out that forgiveness.
Live it out, and I think you’ll even find that what comes out of your mouth
will be a little more pleasing, a little more acceptable before God.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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