I Lived Like A Whitewashed Tomb

External obedience without inward change cannot prepare us for the coming of the Lord.

Zechariah gave great testimony as a Jew. But he did not believe when he received word from God through an angel. (Luke 1)

No one knew about Mary, yet her response to God's word is a testimony. She believed and glorified God wholeheartedly.

External obedience gives you a good feeling.

• "Yes, I listened to my Pastor."

• "I'm a good believer. God likes me."

There is no understanding of why you obey; it's transactional and self-seeking. Such sacrifices do not reach God.

Cornelius did not know the living God; however, in his pursuit of God, he lived generously and prayed sincerely with his household. His outward generosity was accepted because it was genuine.

Truth is a powerful enabler. When we love the truth, we will live it out as well. On the other hand, Lies is a terrible cheater. The more you lie to yourself, the worse your spiritual state becomes.

We get to make choices daily. We need help from the Holy Spirit to make godly choices. Without God, we cannot do anything good.

As scripture teaches, without love, speaking in tongues or outward service is vanity before God (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

Make a decision today to live truthfully. Christ is coming sooner than we think. Maranatha, Praise God, and Amen.