August 26, 2026
21st Week in Ordinary Time
What’s Inside?
Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.
Matthew 23:28

According to some sources, Mahatma Gandhi once said something like, “I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” However accurate the quote is, the substance and sentiment of it still rings true. When we fail to live up to the standards of love and compassion for which our namesake Christ was known, we hurt the entire Church and its efforts to change the world. 

Jesus knew this and preached on numerous occasions about hypocrisy. He knew that our actions speak louder than our words when it comes to evangelizing others. He demanded that his followers be held to a higher standard than the religious leaders of his day. We are all held to those same standards today.

We all need to continue to ask: Will the world see something in me that draws them to the love of Christ? 

Lord, help me be the Christian you need me to be.

- Steve Givens

2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18 ✚ Psalm 128:1-2, 4-5 ✚ Matthew 23:27-32
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Comments

Salina (not in control)
August 26, 2026 at 10:44 AM

I have a different take on this hypocrisy! I thought about this song when I read the title of today’s devotion, “What’s Inside?” Truth Be told by Matthew West https://youtu.be/j4wYkS8Z3Io *** How much did Gandhi know about this Christ of mine? He wrote, “My difficulties lay deeper. It was more than I could believe that Jesus was the only incarnate son of God, and that only he who believed in him would have everlasting life! If God could have sons, all of us were His sons. If Jesus was like God, or God Himself, then all men were like God...
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freeter
August 26, 2026 at 09:15 AM

Amen. :)

ADV
August 26, 2026 at 08:51 AM

AMEN!

Holly
August 26, 2026 at 08:40 AM

Amen!

Stormi
August 26, 2026 at 08:13 AM

Thank you Steve for that wonderful reflection. What a wonderful world it would be to have all loving caring hard working Christians in it. Blessings to to all the LFF, especially those with extra needs these days. Holy Spirit fill the hearts of all to guide us to a heavenly earth.

Mike
August 26, 2026 at 08:28 AM

Lord, help me be the Christian you need me to be.

Gary
August 26, 2026 at 08:02 AM

"Lord, help me be the Christian you need me to be." Thank you Steve for your words today. Amen!

Cheryl
August 26, 2026 at 06:34 AM

Amen... thank you Lord for your daily mercies towards me, a mere sinner

Debbie H
August 26, 2026 at 09:16 AM

Amen

Lia
August 26, 2026 at 01:51 AM

Amen

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