“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is
profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that
which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Our secular world is like the Sadducean sect
of Jesus’ day in that there is the disbelief in the spirit (or soul) of man
(Acts 23:7-8). We must guard against being influenced by such a worldview so
we, too, get hung up on the periphery. Our discerning Lord rebuked the “spiritual
elite” of his day for their focus on the
exterior rather than the inner man. They were basically concerned how things
looked to others around them. In his censure, Matthew records Jesus’ piercing
words: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto
whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full
of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye
are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27-28).
Are You Fit to Live In?
There are a number of considerations we undertake when
we are searching for a new house. There are important questions to ask the
realtor or current homeowner. There are things the prospective buyer or other
professional wants to look for when going through the visual inspection. If we
are careless in the examination, there could be significant underlying problems
that could be costly to repair down the road. Do the drains flow properly? Is
the electrical system up to date? Are the floor joists and sub floor in good
shape or have they become rotten due to moisture? Has the house been protected
against termites?
So, the question for our due consideration: “Are you
fit for God to live in?” Will God take up permanent residence just anywhere?
Remember he does not “camp out” out front of the gate where the fence is
freshly painted to cover the rust and stains. Is a tomb (with its accompanying
odor) the best we have to offer our gracious Father? Think of the honor of
having God’s continual presence. He deserves the best. Let’s give it to him!
