Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It’s been a long day, hard day. You’re on the way home. You dream of relaxation. As you slog your way through rush hour traffic, out of nowhere – SOME MANIAC CUTS YOU OFF! What comes out of your mouth next?
This brief illustration makes a point about Jesus’ teaching on things that “defile” – “causing us to be made dirty” for all to see – and, by extension, on things that show Christ’s grace to others while under pressure.
The crowd confronting Jesus was concerned about food people ate and how eating “unclean food” would make them impure. Jesus countered saying, “There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” (Mark 7:15) Though food was the visual, Jesus was getting at a different point – what spiritual food do you eat?
There’s a saying, “You are what you eat.” If we eat from the “Bread of Life” on a regular basis, we become filled with the words and love of God through Jesus Christ. Over time, this regular filling of our hearts with God’s words of grace leads us to speak words of grace; even when some maniac cuts us off. We might even calmly respond with a prayer for them showing Christ’s love to a person in need. However, if we’re filling our hearts with the rage, depravity, and pride of the world, our hearts will overflow with things that show the evil within our hearts, evil that defiles.
God knows we live in the world – a place where the devil is constantly on the attack. But, as we “put on the whole armor of God” we can stand firm against him. However, when we fall, on account of Jesus, God will pick us up; forgiving us once again and strengthening us to keep alert and persevere while boldly proclaiming the good news to any and all in need. (Ephesians 6:10-20) Let’s fill up on God’s grace and let His armor protect us from evil.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim