Inside-Out

It's not fashionable, I know, to wear the clothes’ tag on the outside but it has become a new “norm” for me at times.  Mr. Bill’s fashion-eye isn’t particularly keen but when he notices, he usually tells me ... unless it serves to amuse him otherwise.

 

God cares most about the heart of man.  The best and most anticipated parts of Tootsie Rolls, Zingers, Oreos [and the like] are the inside! In the same way, what’s on the inside of people matters most – to others and to God.  Bad behavior can't be blamed on a person’s external features.  Luke 6:45 says, "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."  Just in case you wonder where those bad thoughts-words-actions come from -- there we have it!  It's only logical since sin is an inside-job, God's work is also done on the inside.  That's exactly why the psalmist wrote, "I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You." (119:11).  Whoever inhabits the throne of the heart will rule accordingly: evil or good will be evident in how we live.  The pure-of-heart are the sweet and permeating fragrance, a "pleasing aroma of Christ" to The Father (2 Corinthians 2:15).  Yes, I'm not yet senile enough to think wearing clothes inside-out is a good thing, but [by grace] I do know living-out a heart of Godliness is both acceptable and pleasing – not to mention, of great eternal value.  From a pure heart, let us today live ... inside-out!