God is not deceived by externals. It is only we who are impressed and taken in by them. We have a difficult time looking past the outer. Pharisaical movements and people, like the world, major on what a person does rather than who they are. What you look like, and do, are more important than what it is that motivates you. They think more of decorum than devotion. The inner robe of righteousness is passed over for the etiquette of ritualism.
Phariseeism loves public street corners where it can be seen of men, while true godliness longs for the inner chamber, where only God seeth in secret. The Pharisee wants to be called, “Rabbi, Rabbi,” by the people, rather than hear the Father say, “My son.” The pathway between the externalist and communion with God is grown over with grass; but the path between him and the praise of men is well trodden.
God’s way is always, “first that which is within.” Both Ezra and Nehemiah, when rebuilding the temple, began with the altar, and inner things. The outer always came last. If they had neglected the most important part, they would have been left with a monstrosity—yes, a beautiful temple for all to look upon and admire, but only a shell with no substance within, nothing that would attract God to it.
It is interesting that Jesus never once called attention to the externals, other than those in the lives of the Pharisees. We had better start concerning ourselves with what Jesus was concerned with: the heart, the inner man, the spirit within.
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