I was reading through 2 Corinthians Chapter 5 this morning and a verse caught my attention just beyond the one that usually causes me pause. The verse that always gives me pause is of course the well known verse found in 2 Cor. 5:10 which refers to the judgment seat of Christ. It is a reminder for all believers that we will give an account to Him who has saved us for everything we have done, whether good or bad.
But the verse that also caught my attention this morning is found in 2 Cor. 5:12 where Paul writes about those who "...boast about outward appearance, and not what is in the heart." I started to wonder how someone would boast to the Lord about outward appearance. I thought back to Luke 18:9-14 where Jesus talks about the Pharisee and the tax collector each praying to God. The Pharisee is thankful that he is not a sinner and talks about what he has done for God. But the tax collector doesn't even try that approach. He simply begs for God's mercy. Of course, Jesus condemns that Pharisee and encourages the approach of the tax collector.
But then my next thought is how we today mimic the Pharisee rather than the tax collector? Whenever we become proud of something we do for God, or for that matter, something we don't do because of God, we are focusing on outward things rather than the condition of our heart. The Lord knows how my heart can vacillate between the things of this world, and devotion to Him. The problem is...when I'm focused on what I've accomplished for Him, or what sinful activity I've avoided for Him, I'm not necessarily getting to the level of the heart. When we have the heart right, the outward activities follow. But we can be deceived into thinking that when the outward activities are right, the heart will naturally follow...and that isn't so.
Paul is pointing out that true self evaluation must occur at the level of the heart by asking the question..."What is my heart seeking?" Is it to look good on the outside from all my activities, or is my heart truly seeking the Lord?
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