In Matthew 23, Jesus gives His last public message. He spoke to the crowds and His disciples about outward appearance and how "looking" religious is hypocritical and worthless. It's what is in the heart that matters. What's in our hearts is revealed in our actions and how we live our lives. Designer outfits and name brand junk is not important. Official titles and corner offices with big windows are not important. What matters is the devotion of our hearts. All this "stuff" in this world will disappear and decay but the Lord will be King forever. If we choose to humbly repent and submit to His authority and Kingship, allowing Him to be Lord over all - every part - of our lives, we are His and a part of His eternal Kingdom and that will never disappear or decay. Honest, sincere devotion to the Lord because we love the Lord - heart and soul - is never wasted. Righteousness begins with the heart, not external actions, religious rituals, or external obedience. It's always about the heart and Jesus knows our hearts and motives. He will never force us to choose Him and He will never stop loving us regardless. It's up to us to turn, repent, and return His love with all we've got, pursue Him with all our guts, and worship Him with every last exhale.
