A Pharisee invited the Lord Jesus home for lunch.  Jesus went and reclined at the table.

Notice what surprised this host:
(NASB) Luke 11:38 “When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that He had not first ceremonially washed before the meal.”

How did the Lord Jesus “handle” this critical assessment?
(NASB) Luke 11:39 “But the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness.”

Jesus continued with an illustration which pointed to God:
(NASB) Luke 11:40 “You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also?”
(Amplified Bible) Luke 11:41 “But [dedicate your inner self and] give as donations to the poor of those things which are within [of inward righteousness] and behold, everything is purified and clean for you.”

When we are “right” with God through faith in His Son, we are clean within.  It is not the outward religious ceremony that makes us clean.  It is the inward reality of faith in Jesus that makes us righteous (for no one can do anything to be righteous except believe in Jesus – He has done all that is needed).

What is God’s standard of righteousness?
(NASB) 1 John 1:5-10 “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and his word is not in us.”

Followers of Christ ~ You have An Inward Reality of Being Clean Within ~

Do others see that inner reality in your life?