Action speaks louder than words. So too does the heart — no matter what we say or what outward appearance we portray to the world, the fact is, God always sees our true heart.
As we are taught, no one can deceive God. Ever. No being can manipulate or trick God in any way and it is God who truly sees and knows all. This truth brings me to a quote I recently read and it really brings the point home:
“It doesn’t matter how many Sundays you sit in Church. God sees what you do and how you treat people. That’s what really matters.”
I don’t know who said this, but they got it right. We’ve all tried to trick someone at one point or another in life — everyone has told a little white lie or put on airs to impress someone. Its not always a terrible sin or act of treachery to do so, because we’re all just human after all. However, when the purpose of those airs we put on are to come across as “good and righteous,” when the opposite is true, we may fool some people, but never can we fool God.
This is a valuable lesson for all of us, because if we think we’re fooling God, we’re truly delusional and moreover, trying to trick God is really a heinous act of disrespect.
“Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” – Psalm 139:4
“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” – Romans 16:17-18
I do fear that some Christians go to Church simply out of habit or because they feel somehow superior for doing so and in their mind, gives them authority to judge others. But Church is really about love and fellowship — its about coming together to celebrate our faith and to open our hearts and minds to the will of God.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul writes “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.” This is powerful. We are not saved by deeds or sacrifices, but by faith. And since Jesus Christ is the very will of God, it is through Him that we can have that grace and redemption. So Church is not meant to be a place to hang out and socialize for no good reason, or to give us cause to feel superior, but is rather, a place to gather humbly and to listen, learn and to feel the will and love of God.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – 10:24-25
