God knows everything you’re thinking. Yep, He does. And that scoffing thought you just thought, too. Every good thought, every bad plan, every good or evil intent. He knows them all. Not only does He KNOW, he actively searches our hearts and examines them all.
Anyone look back over the past 24 hours and think that might not be a good thing?
See, God isn’t an inactive entity just hanging around in space waiting for mankind to destroy itself. No, He is a fully interactive God, working all things according to His plan. To have things work together for His glory, He has to do work on us.
We’re just not holy on our own. Not even on our very best day.
What does God see when He searches your heart? What secret motives are hidden there? They won’t remain hidden under the examination of Almighty God.
And look! God gives all people their due rewards — what they have coming — based on their actions.
Wait. What?
We have the secret motives, the thoughts and plans all going round and round in our heart and mind, but God gives grace. Those are not what we will be judged on.
Do you see it? “I give all people their due rewards, according to what their ACTIONS deserve.”
This doesn’t negate what Jesus said about our wrong thoughts equating sin. Instead, it shows a difference. We will all have thoughts that aren’t 100% pleasing to our Heavenly Father, but He gives us grace to see what we’ll do with those thoughts. We all have secret motives. Some born by seeds of sin — greed, power, and lust, while others are born of past trauma and fear. We ultimately have the choice to say no to those motives, refusing to take the natural actions that those thoughts and motives produce, and THAT is what God judges all of us on.
Good news, Believer! That thought you had, that temptation you faced and avoided? No judgment.
On the other hand, that smooth move you accomplished that you thought no one saw? You know the one.
Yeah, God saw that, and that action, along with all the others, is what determines your due rewards.
Anyone else looking back over their past week, month, year, lifetime? Remember, God forgives what we confess and leave behind. Allow Him to cleanse you of all unrighteousness. Trust Him to make you right in His sight by agreeing with Him that what you did was wrong. Then, note what that was and don’t do it again.
Today is the day. Let’s choose God over the thoughts and motives that seem to feel so good and so comfortable. Every time. Then again tomorrow and the day after. It’s a moment-by-moment choice, and we’re able to do it well.
ChooseWell
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