J06 "But I went almost every Sunday!

Isaiah 1:15-16: "And when you lift up your hands, I will turn My eyes away from you; though you pray at length, I will not listen. Your hands are stained with crime -- wash yourselves clean; put your evil doings away from My sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, devote yourselves to justice; aid the wronged. Uphold the rights of the orphan; Defend the cause of the widow. "

Jerome: (1) "'You are being washed; be clean.' Instead of the [rituals of religious observance], the religion of the gospel is what pleases me" [Commentary on Isaiah 1.1.16]

Reflection: Times change, but God's truth does not. Here, He condemns the practices of religion -- "church activities" -- if not accompanied by a genuine pursuit of holiness by the participants. In Romans we are told that our lives are the only sacrifice God accepts. Infantry officer candidates are taught the maxim "Mission, men, me" to get their priorities in order. So should we, sacrificially, put the Kingdom first, then others (believers or non-) , and only then see to our own needs.

In the 21st Century, what does pursuit of holiness look like? Are my leather seats a higher priority for me, than my brother's new tires? Then I need to allow the Spirit to wash me -- I need not to quench the guilt I feel when another's neediness convicts me of my own selfishness. When I turn away from a sister's grief, because it makes me uncomfortable, am I not in need of washing?

Most Christian men say they are willing to lay down their lives for their children. Are they willing to give up that bad habit, or that hobby that consumes their time and interest? Are they not in need of washing?

God has inundated the church in America with resources -- but they are not evenly distributed. If we horde our abundance, have we quenched the Spirit? Stolen from God? Have bloody hands?

It is not enough, to be washed at baptism, and to refuse the daily washing driven by the still small voice -- the Spirit.

My prayer today: Lord, make me as aware of my own selfishness and pride, as I am aware of them in others. Let me honor others above my self. Move me to compassion. I can't do it on my own.

(1) "Commentary on Isaiah 1.1.16," IVP Ancient Christian Commentary, OT Vol X, McKinion, Ed.