True Beauty...

 Today's Readings: OT - Job 19 / NT - Matthew 23

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean." -- Matthew 23:25-26

The inside of most kitchen coffee pots can get pretty caked with old coffee residue. Yes, that is quite disgusting, but the pot looks quite impressive when it's all shined up outside. Now, if the pot remains in this sad condition it may look good, but the coffee doesn't taste too good. You see, the outside will never change the flavor of the coffee, but when the inside is clean the coffee tastes great and the pot is truly beautiful.

The principle is quite the same when it comes to the souls of men. Jesus made it very clear as he spoke to the scribes and Pharisees referring to them as hypocrites. No matter how well dressed they were or well behaved, when the soul is vile and decayed with sin the whole life is distasteful. The only way to change everything for the better is to acquire a clean heart and then one's life will taste great and will be truly beautiful.

Hypocrisy is acting like you're something that you're not. Are you the real deal my friend? Is your life full of good flavor coming from a clean heart? Don't think that a new suit or dress and a few pleasant words are all you need. True beauty always begins within.

 Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Job 20:1-11 / NT - Matthew 24:1-14