The above words are hard to confront. They are hard to know what to do with. Are they for me? Are they for others and not me, because I’ve been through this already, and I really don’t do anything externally anymore in order to be clean?

I have understood that being “clean” on the outside and doing good deeds or wearing special clothes, does not make me right with God, or make me clean on the inside – in my spirit, soul, mind. I’ve understood, even, that I can’t make my own mind and soul and spirit clean, and that I have to have Christ living in me in order to be clean on the inside. I have to have Christ living in me in order to be alive to eternity.

And yet, I’ve not wanted to take the attitude of “God, I thank you that I am not like other [people], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector”… and to extend it… not like the self-righteous.

So, I’ve been asking God, asking myself: What are the external practices and traditions that I cling to instead of clinging to the internal cleaning of Christ in me, the hope of glory? I’ve been pondering this the past few days, because I know there are still things in my life that I cling to externally to make me “right” instead of clinging to Christ.

I am confident that as I keep asking and seeking, Christ will show me things in my life that I need to let go of.