News reports told of a discovery of an elderly blind woman slumped over in the doorway of her home. She was “confused and weak” and weighed only between 65 and 70 pounds. Closer investigation found that she was living among rotting garbage and large rats. The report said that “several dogs and cats were observed running loose through the house … rats were eating the body of a dead dog inside the house … the woman appeared to have flea and rat bites over her body … there were no lights or water in the house, and the heat inside was so intense that the smoke alarm had been activated”.
We’re sickened and upset – how could this happen? Some additional information may provide the key. City codes enforcement officers examined the house and reported that, on the outside, the house was “very well kept, complete with a new paint job, a new roof, and a new electric meter center”. One inspector said, “The house would be fit to rent to anybody right now based on what it looks like from the outside.” The problem, obviously, was not with what was visible from the outside, but with what was not seen on the inside.
All of this put us to thinking about eternal things. We’re concerned that many people have spiritual houses that are in this same shape. They make a pretense of religious service, but inwardly there is all manner of filth and corruption. Jesus spoke of some who “on the outside appear beautiful, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matt. 23:27).
What about you? What shape is your “house” in?
– by Greg Gwin