The Heart of the Matter

Outward appearance without inward godliness is hypocrisy. A hypocrite is one who is not right with God inside but makes efforts to look right on the surface so people will accept him or her. Yet, Christianity is primarily a matter of the heart. That is the heart of the matter! Everything flows from a heart relationship with God, who transforms our hearts when He regenerates us. The Pharisees seemingly were seeking after God, but in reality they were self-seeking. They did not see themselves as sinners in need of a Savior. They saw themselves as good people because they kept the Law. Yet they didn't keep the Law because they didn't apply it on the heart level. Hypocrites pretend to be what they are not by using the facade of religion. What they need is heart surgery by the Master Physician. The powerful gospel of Jesus Christ working in the heart is the remedy for all hypocrisy.