Throughout the Bible, God is clear that what He cares about most is our hearts. When our hearts are right our actions will follow. But the reverse is not true. Our actions may appear to be right, but our hearts may be far from God. That was the problem with the religious establishment in Jesus’ day (Matthew 23:25-28). Francis Chan writes, “Lukewarm people probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren’t very different from your typical unbeliever. They equate their partially sanitized lives with holiness, but they couldn’t be more wrong.” (Crazy Love, p. 79)
God sent Samuel to anoint David as the new king of Israel. In that process, Samuel considered David’s brother Eliab because he looked the part. As Samuel thought he had surely found the future king, God said, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks upon the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV)
Religious people are comfortable living with surface level transformation. They like to look right to those who are looking from the outside but have not considered what God is observing on the inside. When we are in love with Jesus, we care more about our heart, knowing that our actions will always follow our heart. God is looking for people who are willing to undergo a heart change, not those who are looking to simply act a little bit better than the next guy or gal. As you examine your heart what does God say?
1 comment:
"Religious people are comfortable living with surface level transformation" Great way to put it.
I think one of the challenges of the modern church is to bring people forward to the point that they do experience some "surface level transformation" without wallowing in it in place of a more personal relationship. As you say, that requires heart before acts.
As always, well said.
Bill Burton
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