You're No Angel

Author: Pastor Mike Gutzler

Sometimes the truth hurts, and today Jesus makes that abundantly clear as he reminds us that “It is what comes out of a person that defiles. 21 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22 adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23).

Let’s be honest for a moment. We have all shown the true color of our inner heart. We have all shown we are not as angelic and loving as we take ourselves to be. Instead of brushing off these past moments, let’s acknowledge the elements of our pasts and pains that have shaped us in ways we can never fully recover. Pain has been placed upon us, and we have hurt others resulting in a condition of our heart that is damaged. As another Christian thinker said; if our heart were an apple, we all have places of rot.

In the acknowledgement, and honesty, of our true condition we can then open our eyes to the God who sees us for who we are and finds us to be beautiful. In the wicked things we have said, and the damage we have done or left undone, we can take comfort with a God who is forgiving and loving.

This divine acceptance does not give us the freedom to continue with evil intentions but should be the inspiring divine act that encourages us to move forward and try to work towards reconciliation and forgiveness with those who we have hurt in the past.

This week, as you head out into the world, take a moment to listen and watch those around you. Take a moment a ponder what evil intentions lay in the heart of those in your life. Take a moment and see brokenness for what it is and affirm for yourself faith in a God that loves that person just as much as you.

Watch the performance of the Gospel of Mark Chapter 7 performed by Max McClean.