DO YOU SEE WHAT GOD SEES?
"For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Looks can be deceiving"? That statement is so true. You know who "looked" really good, genuine, and godly? Judas Iscariot, the man who eventually betrayed Jesus Christ. He was the most trusted one of the twelve disciples. How do I know that? I know because the other eleven made him the treasurer.
Judas was the poster child for hypocrisy. He was a play actor deluxe. He was a thief and a fraud and a money-grubbing opportunist; but no one could see it. Even when Jesus told the disciples that Judas was the betrayer, they didn't understand (John 13:25-30). Surely Judas, trusted Judas, would NOT betray Jesus. He looked SO GOOD on the outside. Judas fooled everyone, except Jesus.
GOD SEES AND KNOWS
There are lots of people who live like Judas. They look good on the outside, but they are rotten on the inside. They fool everyone into thinking they are godly and altruistic, but their true motives are evil. They "serve God" for gain, recognition, and selfish interests. They fool everyone they meet, everyone except God.
Let me ask you a sobering question: Why do you do the things you do? Do you "serve God" for you or for Him? Is your heart pure? Are your motives right? Is it really all about Jesus and His glory, or is it about you and your glory?
1 Corinthians 4:5 tells us that when Jesus comes back, He "will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God." What will be disclosed on that day in you?
STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT
Let me encourage you as I encourage myself: search your heart. Make sure your motives are pure and right before God. Don't live a lie, thinking nobody really sees your selfishness and pride. God sees it all, and He is the only One who really matters.
One day, you and I will have to stand before Him and give an account of our lives. One day, all that is hidden will come to light. Trust me, it is much better to get things out in the open TODAY so that the Lord can bring healing, purity, and the reality of Christ to your heart before it is too late.
Had Judas heeded this encouragement, his tragic story would have been so different. How about you? How will your story end, in tragedy or triumph? Will you heed the call to deal honestly and soberly with your heart, or will you continue to live a lie? The choice is yours. How will you choose?
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
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