"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man." Mark 7:21-23 (Read Mark 7:1-23)
Can we be saved by observing the traditions passed down to us from our fathers? Is it enough if we observe their worship forms and abstain from practices which go against those traditions? Are we acceptable and clean before God through such observances?
What did Jesus say when His disciples were accused by the Pharisees of breaking a tradition of the elders which required a washing of the hands before eating? He pointed out how they had elevated their man-made traditions to such a level that they were depending upon them for their standing before God rather than drawing near to God with their hearts (v. 1-6). And, as a result, their worship was vain and empty.
They elevated their traditions to such a level that they used them to avoid obedience to God's commandments (v. 7-13). As a result, they were setting aside and disregarding God's commandments.
And yet, what they failed to see was that their uncleanness came from within. It wasn't something that came from outside them by eating with unwashed hands; it was from within, from their evil hearts. Jesus explained (v. 20-23): "That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man." Thus, while they appeared clean and righteous outwardly, their hearts were still evil and full of sin. They were still unclean and unacceptable to God.
And what about us? Are we depending on outward forms or traditions? Do we teach for doctrines the commandments of men? Do we even set aside God's Word to hold to our traditions? Is our righteousness outward only while our hearts are far from the LORD? Cf. Rom. 3:9ff. Do we not realize that our uncleanness comes from within? That our hearts are, by nature, since the Fall, inclined to evil and sin (cf. Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Ps. 51:5; Jer. 17:9)? Out of our hearts "proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies..." (Matt. 15:19).
That is why we need Jesus. "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world" (1 John 2:2). When we see our utter sinfulness and look to God for mercy, "He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). "We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. 1:7).
Our hearts need cleansing and healing. That is why David, after confessing His sin and looking to God for mercy, prayed: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Ps. 51:10).
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin ... Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.
[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture quoted from the King James Version of the Bible. More devotions are available at www.goodshepherdrogers.org.]
Editorial on 09/24/2014