Our Thought Life Matters...

People who think, by keeping the Law, they can earn Heaven, are confused with what the Bible clearly says. God does state this (by keeping the law we can earn salvation) over and over throughout the OT. It is true. However, the problem is not with the keeping of the law, it’s with us. We are not able to keep its requirements. So in essence we are all doomed. In Matthew Ch 5 Jesus brings this issue to light in the Sermon on the Mount. He discreetly states that even if we did keep the law outwardly, we would still be guilty of breaking it inwardly, due to our thoughts and intentions. Hatred was considered murder, and lusting was the equivalency of adultery. If you think you’re up to par and are able to live a perfect life, here’s a quick test. Have you ever thought of wanting something bad to happen to someone? Or thought you deserved something more than someone else? Or how about when you said something to defend or retaliate to someone else’s words with the intention to put someone in their place? Guilty, Guilty, Guilty. We are all guilty. That’s the point. God judges us based on our thoughts and intentions just as much as He judges based on our actions. No one measures up. Well, at least no human other than Jesus. It’s not until we bring our thought life under the control of the Holy Spirit that we will ever be free from the magnetic pull of trying to do or be good. We can’t earn God’s respect. We can only live a life free from the fear of condemnation by trusting Jesus’ righteous works to be our own. That doesn’t mean live a life pursuing sin. It just means we don’t live preoccupied with trying to be good or live a life trying to please others or build a good reputation with the world. Live focused on what you can bring to the table, all the talents God gave you, and you’ve worked hard to develop. Let Him be the Commander and Chief of your life. When you serve God and treat others accordingly, God will advance your reputation. Having grounded feet in the Gospel, frees you to live a life free from fear which allows you to spread your wings and soar to eternity. God is the ultimate judge, and knowing the criteria in which He judges, makes us accountable for our actions, and more importantly, our intentions and thought life.

Then all the churches will know that I am the One who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve. Revelation 2:23c