The Letter Of The Law- John 18

Sometimes the craziest things happen right under our noses, and we don't notice them. One of these things happens in John 18:28.
In this verse, the Jewish leaders are trying to condemn an innocent man to death, but are afraid to defile themselves by going into a Roman government building before Passover. What?? Did I read that right? Defile themselves? Didn't they defile themselves by accusing innocent blood??
These guys were so wrapped up in obeying the letter of the Law on the outside,that they didn't see the filth on the inside of them! They didn't see that their sin, hate, and disgust had defiled them. Their jealousy had defiled them. Their insecurity had defiled them. They were filthy!! That Roman building was probably cleaner than they were!!
But I think we all do this. We get so concerned about where we go, what we watch, and the things we do that we don't see the sin inside of us.
Don't only appear clean. Be clean!!! Let God cleanse what's inside of you! Let him purify your thoughts, motives, and intentions. Don't just obey the letter of the Law. Let it come alive inside of you!