God knows that things in this world are not always as they appear to be. That is why He doesn’t look on the outside. He looks at our hearts. The gospel doesn’t just change our outward appearances. The gospel changes our hearts. It changes us from the inside out so that we live out our faith with integrity, able to fulfill Jesus’ purposes for us which is to bear fruit so that others might know God and enjoy Him forever.

For further consideration:
What are some of the ways we can allow our religious practices to become hypocritical? Why do you think the natural inclination for churches is to turn inward rather than outward? If hypocrisy involves self-deception, how can we discover our own hypocrisy? Who do you have in your inner circle that has your permission to point out blind spots in your faith walk with Christ? How do you measure your fruitfulness for the kingdom? Are you discipling anybody? Have you shared you faith with anybody? Have you invited somebody to church lately?