Sunday, December 6, 2020

You cannot hide what's in your heart from God

For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the 
knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6

No amount of activity for God will ever take the place of a heart that is right with Him. Through the ages God's people have been persuaded that they could please Him through their service and their offerings, regardless of their heart condition. King Saul offered generous sacrifices, hoping God would overlook his disobedience (1 Sam. 15:22–23). David may have assumed that after all he had done on God's behalf, God would overlook his sin (2 Sam. 12:7–15). Ananias and Sapphira thought that their generous gift to the church would compensate for their deceitfulness (Acts 5:1–11). Paul was certainly one who had thought his zealousness would please God. After his conversion, however, he concluded that even if he had faith to remove mountains, gave all he had to feed the poor, and offered his body to be burned for the sake of God, and yet had a heart that was not right, it would all be for nothing (1 Cor. 13:1–3).

We are susceptible to the same misunderstanding as all of these people were. We can be deceived into assuming God is more interested in our activity for Him than He is in the condition of our hearts. God has consistently made it clear that He will not be pacified by even the most generous offerings and zealous service if our hearts are not right with Him (Mic. 6:6–8). No matter how much we do in God's service, regardless of how active we are in our church, no matter how honorable our reputation in the Christian community, He will not overlook a sinful heart. His desire is that we devote ourselves to knowing Him and loving Him with all of our hearts. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

Secrets. Oh from the beginning of humanity secrets were found. Cain tried to conceal what he did and thought concerning his brother. 

After 40 years in the wilderness people of Israel were one thing on the outside but inside their hearts were far from God. It took another 40 years and a generation to begin to get that right. 

Throughout the history of Israel we find deception.  People in Jeremiah's day, Jewish leaders, priests even, self deceived into believing something about God but their hearts were far from Him. 

Fast forward to the time of Jesus's birth.  The people and Jewish leaders the Pharisees and Sadducees both certainly thought more highly of themselves than they ought to have.  They indeed honored God with their lips but their hearts were far from Him. 

You, my dear reader, my friend, need to be honest with yourself and God. 

In a day marked out in Scripture, every single person will stand before Christ and their lives will be laid bare before Him.  So secrets.  No trying to explain anything because He already knew your thoughts and intentions at those moments. 

Satan's modus operandi, his MO, is deception.  He deceived Adam and Eve. Then their son Cain, and then on and on throughout history everyone else but Jesus. 

What are you doing? What are you hiding from others? You DO realize that regardless of whether or not you are a Christian Jesus sees. 

In Christ Jesus we have the forgiveness of sins.  Outside of Christ there is no forgiveness of sins.  Outside of Christ a SINGLE sin is enough to condemn a person to the fires of Hell.  In Romans it says that the wages of sin is death.  Wages are what you get for work.  Work is what you put effort into expecting something in return.  Your wages for sin is death.  But I have never hurt anyone!  I have always been a good person!

Problems with that...one, you were born in sin. It's in your DNA. You cannot remove it. Being born into this world means born dead in your soul, when you look at the reality of it.  Only by being born again in Christ Jesus can you have His free gift that restores you to life and erases the stain of sin from your being. 
Secondly, with being born in sin, it matters not what the entire rest of your life looks like.  It wouldn't matter if all your life was spent in service to God, without Salvation it means nothing.  Look at what people said in Revelation.  We did this in your name! We did that in your name!  Jesus tells them to depart from Him for He never knew them. A perfect life of service to God, without Salvation in Christ Jesus alone, equals eternity in Hell. 

If you are physically alive today and can read this, sit down in prayer, and make sure you are right with God. Make sure you are saved and aren't deluding yourself.  

Jesus said you will know people by their fruits.  Measure good fruit by God's standards not yours.  Of course you will say your fruit is good.  But compared to God's standards is it?  

We have not the right to tell anyone they are condemned to Hell. That form of judgment belongs to Jesus.  We CAN tell people that if they don't come to Christ then Hell is what they have to look forward to.  You will NEVER look into the eyes of someone whom Christ didn't die for. Including who you see in your mirror. 

Make sure today that you are indeed saved.  That there was a time when you can look to when Christ saved you.  Are you able? If not, make today that day! 

My friend that is not an unlimited time offer.  When Jesus returns the offer is off the table for to leave this world to be with Him until after 7 years of judgements and tribulations.  

Go no further into this day without knowing.   For Jesus already knows the truth about you. If your deepest darkest secret is that Jesus isn't your Savior.  Resolve that today. 

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