Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
REFLECTION
During Lent it is easy to seek alteration rather than transformation. Altering our habits, altering our religious practices, or altering our desires. But alteration is not authentic change and does not reflect a new life and a new heart. Jesus calls us to, and leads us into, a new life from above that doesn’t just change what we do…but recreates who we are!
All of our outward sin is the expression of our inward brokenness. When we sin against God and neighbor it is visible or discoverable. We fool ourselves though in believing the sin in our heart is hidden from God. Following Jesus does not call for moral perfection, spiritual piety, or perfect fidelity in our human relationships. The law itself condemns us as unable to achieve these standards. But an honest understanding of our sin nature and a whole-hearted repentance allows the Lord to heal us, renew us, and moves us towards aligning our hearts with God’s own heart.
PRAYER: Lord, our hearts are dark and broken. We seek to heal ourselves and hide our sin from others…but there is no place to hide from You. Please touch us with your Holy Spirit and give us new, healed, hearts of flesh. Purify us and guide us into faith for the sake of your Son, our Savior. AMEN
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