HOW GOD LOOKS AT OUR HEARTS AND WORKS
God’s Holy Word says: “It is by grace you [are] saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “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 3:16).
ONE BIBLE-EXAMPLE OF HOW GOD LOOKS OUR HEARTS AND WORKS:
Speaking about how God looks at hearts and works, Jesus says two men who went up to the temple to pray–one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
However, the tax collector, not believing himself worthy to lift his eyes to heaven, prayed: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Jesus said the tax collector, who saw himself as a sinner was justified in the eyes of God, rather than the self-righteous Pharisee who boasted of his good works. (Luke 18:9-14).
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW GOD LOOKS AT OUR HEARTS AND WORKS:
In this example the Son of God lets us know how he looked at the hearts of two criminals who were crucified beside, while people stood by and watched:
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[b]”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43).
In dying the repentant sinner had no opportunity to do good works; but God saved him because he truly believed in the atoning work of the Son of God. The Word of God says, “if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12). Besides knowing the hearts of the two criminals, The Lord God knows the hearts of all people (John 2:25).
GOD’S TELLS US HOW TO FIRST EXAMINE OURSELVES IN LIGHT OF HIS HOLY WORD:
Because of God’s great love for us, shown through his Son, Jesus Christ, he tells us how we should first examine ourselves in light of his Word so that we are not condemned with unbelievers (1 Corinthians 11:31). We might start examining ourselves by asking ourselves the following Bible-based questions:
- Do I really believe that God gave his Son Jesus Christ to die to save sinners who believe in him (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
- Have I honestly believed I am a sinner as Bible says (Romans 3:10, 23)?
- Do I recognize that my good works apart from truly believing in Jesus Christ as the Scripture says cannot save me? (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23).
- Have I repented of my sins, and truly believed in Jesus Christ as my Savior (1 John 1:9)?
- Do I have a heart’s desire to be conformed to the likeness of the Son of God (Romans 8:29)?
- Am I inspired to produce works of the Holy Spirit, having accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord? (John 14:15-17; Galatians 5:22-25).
- Am I willing to tell other about believing in Jesus Christ as the only way to God the Father of heaven (Mark 16:15-16; John 14:6)?
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