Do you know it is almost impossible to get a black mark off a white shirt when drawn with a Sharpie? It's a permanent marker. God is able to make a permanent change in our lives if we will surrender everything to Him.
In Mark 7:1-8, we see a group of people that Jesus spends a great deal of time talking about. These people are the Pharisees. But who are they and what were they like? The Pharisees modeled the righteous lifestyle. They held fast to traditional values. They focused on the letter of the law, but missed the whole idea of the spirit of the law. They were decked in external religiosity, but were judgmental in their attitudes toward others.
Jesus called them whitewashed tombs in Matthew 23:27. He told them that they appear beautiful on the outside, but inside were full of uncleanness and decomposition. If you are familiar with whitewash it is a temporary wash that gives concrete or rock a bright, white glaze. But the brightness is only temporary like watered down paint. Oh, it makes the exterior look good for awhile and it can cover up alot of blemishes. But after a few rainstorms, the whitewash begins to fade, it loses it luster, and will need a new fix.
Perhaps, you and I have been more like the Pharisees than we care to admit. Maybe, we have sought for quick fixes and temporary solutions, instead of allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. I want permanent change. And the blood of Jesus is able to give you and I the change that is the real thing, permanent, and it will not wear away. Let Him change your life today.
