The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”?

What is true belief? Is it words? Is it always having a canned answer on life with God and saying staid and conceptual prayers? Is it looking like a “good little Christian”, yet never risking or sacrificing anything of substance?

I think this is what Isaiah saw in his time and it is a lot of what we see in our time today — playing the part, looking good on the outside. I see people calling out the devil and evil, but not acting out the gospel for others to follow.  “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬)

Alive and active spiritually! What does this look like? Isaiah gives us a glimpse here: 1) Say less, do more spiritually. Don’t get caught up in the popularity and optics games people play. 2) Live out your faith. Focus on the “do’s”, not the “don'ts”. Take risks in relationships, with love and truth. Be honorable. Be transparent. Show integrity. 3) Place God in the highest place in life.  Primarily honor him.  Recognize he is the Creator, he created us for his good pleasure, and he has a plan for our lives.

Lord, I mourn for those who think they can skate by in relationship with you, by merely looking good on the outside. Keep me from this way of thinking, I pray. Keep me humble. May I set aside my pride and reach for your will, your ways, and your glory!