GOD LOOKS AT OUR HEARTS
The biblical word of God says: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). ‘For the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought” (1 Chronicles 28:9).” And If anyone seek him with their whole heart they will find him (Jeremiah 29:13)—”“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:6)
THE BIBLE SHOWS HOW GOD LOOKED AT THE HEARTS SOME PEOPLE.
ZACCHAEUS. In the Bible, a known corrupt tax collector named Zacchaeus demonstrated that his belief in Jesus Christ affected his heart as well as his head. Zacchaeus, who was short in stature, climbed a tree to see Jesus who was passing by in a crowd. The Lord, who knows all heads and hearts (John 2:25), saw him and chose to go to his house . Zacchaeus was impressed by Jesus coming to his house, despite his being known as “a sinner.” He decided to change his sinful way of life. He told the Lord, “I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” The Lord, who knew his head and heart, said, “ today salvation has come to this house.” (Luke 19:1-9).
TWO CONDEMNED CRIMINALS. Two criminals were executed on crosses beside Jesus, who was being crucified for the sins of the world. One criminal revealed his selfish unrepentant heart, by saying to Jesus: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
The other criminal believed he was the Messianic Son of God. This criminal admitted he was being “punish justly.” Repentantly, he asked the Lord: “Remember me when you come into your kingdom.” The Lord, who knows every person’s heart and their willingness to love and obey him, told the repentant man: “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43; 2 Corinthian 8:12).
THE LORD FORGIVES AND SAVES US FOR HAVING A HEART THAT BELIEVES AS THE BIBLES SAYS:
- It is by grace you have been saved, through faith [in Jesus Christ]—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works (Ephesians 2:8).
- All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)–The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
- God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)
- Because of the atoning sacrifice of God’s Son Jesus Christ, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
- For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith [in Jesus Christ]—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works (Ephesians 2:8).
Yet, the person who has been forgiven and saved, has a heart desire to do what pleases God. This includes making restitutions, like Zacchaeus, to those they have wronged where possible. The Lord promised that when we have a heart desire to obey his commands, he gives us the Holy Spirit to help us do his will on earth (John 14:15-17; Matthew 16:10).
The Lord who looks at our hearts said: “blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).
