An analysis from the book entitled, "From This Corrupted Word to Heaven Above" By Paul C.Jong
Chapter 1-
Look at Your True Self and Believe in the Gospel of the Water and the Spirit [Mark 7:1-23]
Does the Bible present an exact portrayal of our genuine nature? Or does our self-assessment reveal our true identity?
Based on our personal viewpoint and the perspective of our intimate circle, we likely come across as fairly respectable individuals.
Most people are generally perceived by their loved ones as being kind, honest, and loving, often garnering at least a 60% approval rate, which may increase on a good day. Any shortcomings we possess are likely to be disregarded when compared to our positive qualites, particularly if we have not violated the law or committed any serious offenses.
Is it therefore wise to rely solely on our personal evaluations and the viewpoints of our loved ones? Or is it better to pursue the truth as outlined in the Bible given the fact that the Lord tells us in Isaiah 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways.”
The Holy Scriptures and especially the law act as a mirror, revealing the true reflection of our sinful nature. (Mark 7:21-23, Romans 3:20).
Contrary to popular belief, we are, in fact, originally "a brood of evildoers" who inherited sin from the first man, Adam (Isaiah 1:5, Romans 5:12).
As such, we all live out our lives committing sins continually; consciously and unconsciously, all the while trying to cover and counter our wrongdoings with acts of kindness in order to project a facade or moral purity to society.
This process is not just limited to Christians; all people do it.
Everyone wants to appear to be good in the eyes of those around them, and so to ensure this happens, they must work diligently to hide their true nature by suppressing their evil thoughts and trying hard to not put them into action, at least in the sight of others.
However, although the process works effectively amongst human beings who judge everything according to outward appearances, on the other hand, this is the very thing that makes us hypocritical in the eyes of God, who looks at the centre of our hearts,
"For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
We must not be like the religious teachers of Jesus` time who, as Jesus said, are "like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness" (Matthew 23:27).
It is essential to understand our genuine sinful nature by studying the Word of God, rather than through the biased filter of our personal beliefs,
"For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged" (1 Corinthians 11:31).
Truly, as humans, we are inherently flawed and lack the strength to resist sin. Without the love and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, we would face God`s judgment and eternal damnation. However, through His mercy and the act of being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus Christ took upon Himself all our sins and paid the price for them through His crucifixion. He rescued us from sin and condemnation, covering us with His righteousness through the gospel of the water and the Spirit (John 3:5).
No amount of good deeds or prayers for repentance can absolve us of past, present, or future sins. Jesus, in obedience to the Father`s will, fulfilled all righteous at once by washing away the sin of the world at His baptism. He declared that "It is finished!" on the Cross and rose from the dead on the third day, hallelujah!
