Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

— Psalm 51:10

22 to put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds;

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

— Ephesians 4:22-24

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

— Galatians 5:22-23

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

— 2 Corinthians 4:16

9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

— Colossians 3:9-10

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Scripture frequently calls people to an internal spiritual reality that transforms their daily lives, thoughts and actions. God defines the practice of faith is God-pleasing obedience. God’s people mirror His heart as they administer true justice and show mercy and compassion to one another. God’s children demonstrate His character when we refuse to oppress widows, the fatherless, foreigners, or the poor. God also charges His people not to plot evil against each other.

Hearts transformed by God’s mercy extend compassion and support to the most vulnerable in society. By contrast, wicked worldly systems boldly prey on the weak. Redeemed minds notice injustice and actively promote God-pleasing justice. To declare love for God and yet walk piously past the suffering and oppressed people of this world does not represent God or His heart for humanity. We please Him when we obey His words.