Dear Friends,
The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 51:10-11,
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.”
King David was well aware of his transgressions and sinfulness and realized that such a spiritual condition would not allow him the ability to commune with God.
And so, we also ask God for a clean heart to help us align our spirits with Him. Jesus, Himself teaches us in Matthew 5:23-24 about the disease in our hearts that is caused by animosity between our brothers and sisters interfering with our relationship to God.
“23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Jesus urges us all to tend to those relationships both within the church and any community or work environment that might create a conflict in our hearts.
In our worship this week, our focus reminds us that the condition in our hearts is more important than the observance of religious tradition.
Pastor Cliff