RIGHTEOUS OUTSIDE OR CHANGED INSIDE?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one
can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
(John 3:3)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever seen a cup that hasn’t been used for a long time?
It may look very attractive on the outside, but when you look
inside you find that it needs washing to remove all the dust and
filth. The dust has collected because the cup has been unused for
a long time. If you went to a store to buy a cup, would you buy it
based on what you see from the outside, or would you pick it up
and look inside first?

Have you ever received a ‘gag’ present? One that was wrapped
in attractive paper with an attractive bow on top. However, when
you opened it and got through the paper on the outside, you found
that it was missing something important on the inside – a PRESENT!!

There was a religious man who came to see Jesus. He was a
Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a leader (member of
the Jewish council) and a teacher. He looked good on the
outside and if that was all that mattered, then he was okay.

However, Jesus knowing what was on the inside of Nicodemus said,
    “I tell you the truth. No one can see the
      kingdom of God unless he is born again”
      (John 3:3)

Salvation is confirmed by a right relationship with God on the inside.
Some feel that the only requirement is to have a look of righteousness
on the outside. Certainly we should do what is right and live holy lives,
but we need to be sure we have made the necessary changes on the inside.
It is what Jesus called a new birth – to become a new person on the inside.
    Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off
    your old self with its practices 10 and have put on
    the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge
    in the image of its Creator.
    (Colossians 3:9-10)

When we are changed from the inside out, the new person we have
become will spill over from the inside for others to see on the outside.
If we only change on the outside, then just like the ‘gag’ gift, there is
something missing on the inside. If others could look inside the ‘cup’
of our mind, attitude, and actions, they would see that nothing has
changed and sinful dust has collected.

However, when we experience a new birth ‘inside’,
we can cherish the words Jesus said to Nicodemus.
    “For God so loved the world that He gave
      His only begotten Son; that whosoever
      believes in Him shall not perish but have
      everlasting life”
      (John 3:16)

ACTION:
How are you on the inside right now? Have you been changed
from the inside out, or only on the outside? If you have already
experienced a new birth, then thank God for your salvation. If
you are still the same on the inside, then pray and ask God to
change you, so that you can look forward to serving Him now,
and being with Him in eternity later.

The scriptures tell us:
    You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,
    to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its
    deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your
    minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God
    in true righteousness and holiness.
    (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Do you believe these words in Ephesians? Do you trust
God’s Word as truth? Are you following the instructions
we have been given?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your gift of salvation.
Help me to realize what it means for me to receive Your
saving grace. Show me the areas of my ‘inside’ life that
still need changing (habits, emotions, attitudes, concern
for others, self-control, etc,), I know that when You help
me fully change my ‘inside’ self, my ‘outside’ self will be
more attractive and sincere, and others will know that my
faith is genuine when they observe the way I live my life.
Show me the spiritual gift You gave me when You saved
me, and help me to know how to give back to You through
using it to serve whenever and wherever You want me to
serve. Remind me that what You have given me is to be
used for pointing others to Your Son, Jesus.”

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