The Change that is from the Inside Out

While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it” (Lk 11:37-44).

Jesus accepted an invitation to dine with a Pharisee. This is extraordinary when we remember that the Pharisees led the attacks against Christ and His message. Jesus willingly went to the home of this enemy and shared fellowship and a meal with this adversary because He loved him as much as He loved anyone else. But Jesus used this invitation to attempt to change this skeptic’s heart and not his skin. He revealed that evidence of the truly born again life is not merely a change of behavior but a change of motive because trusting Christ produces the change that is from the inside out.

The new life in Christ is identified by generous giving. Like the Pharisees, our old nature was enslaved by the deceitful notion that we own everything we have. When we gave something away we thought we were parting with something of ourselves. The old man’s giving is a reflection of impotent self-righteousness. When we are born again our spirit is quickened to receive and believe the truth that we are stewards of God’s creation because all things belong to Him… “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Romans 11:36). Jesus commended tithing here at the same time He condemned unholy motive because tithing is the acknowledgement that because we are His born again children, God entrusts us with stewardship of His creation. The new heart of the new believer, where possession is replaced by stewardship, overflows with holy generosity that moves us beyond tithing and makes us cheerful givers… “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). God loves to bless generous, cheerful givers so we might steadily increase our stewardship and participation in His good work… “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

The new life in Christ is infused with gentle humility. Like the Pharisees, we used to crave the attention, admiration, and acceptance of others. We spent lots of energy investing in the right relationships that could help us build an attractive reputation for ourselves. Many try to build a reputation for themselves even in the church, but the truly born again disciple knows that Christ sees through even the haughtiest man-made reputation… “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1). True disciples have died with Christ and now Christ lives in us… “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Genuine disciples have exchanged reputation for humility, following Christ’s example… “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8 KJV).

The new life in Christ is inspired by genuine compassion. Like the Pharisees, we were controlled by selfishness. But selfishness is replaced by compassion in the love-driven heart of true disciples… “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

As we grow up into Christ evidence that we are truly born again and becoming more like Him is…

The Change that is from the Inside Out.