Surpassing the Ordinary

It truly has been a long time since I spoke of the musings taking place in my life. I have been a little busy lately getting ready for some cool things coming up. Epic is just around the corner now and it has really caused me to think a few things over again and pose some new thoughts at some old ideas.

I have long known that God looks at the heart and not the outward appearance. (1 Samuel 16:7) I guess that I have always considered that to mean he looks at what we are doing then checks our motives. I have always forced a connection in my mind that once God checks our motives he comes back and looks at our actions and then "approves" them because the motives were correct. I think I have to correct that again. I think the true message is that God looks at our heart-- period. That's it? That's what I keep asking myself. You see if you are like me then you keep asking what I'm asking. Can't I do something else? I am wanting to do something so I can please Him.

In order to combat little evil thoughts like," What can I do to please God?", (if you are still stuck on the question being evil then we better talk) I am now force feeding Scriptures like the following (italics and bold are the key points):

1 Thessalonians 2:4On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Colossians 2:2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,

These scriptures make me want to strive hard to accomplish the next one. (Notice the effort is still present - I desire to do something)

Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Conclusion: When we understand completely these full riches we begin to see a shift in the way we see ourselves and conversely our actions. There is no longer a disconnect between our outward appearance and our inner motives. God looks at our heart and sees His Son and we are approved. Maybe we should look at heart as well and see His Son and call ourselves approved, and quit looking to our actions to convince us that we are.*

*If you are concerned that the avoidance of judging our own actions will cause us to do sinful things or things that are selfish - please see 1Thessalonians 2:4