Fix Your Intentions
DAILY VITAMIN
One principal thing every man must know is that God judges our intentions in the same degree He does our actions. He says He examines our reins (thoughts and deeds) to give to us as we deserve (Jeremiah 17:10). Often times due to the extent of our religious and moral piety, we fail to realize how similar we are to those we severely work against God's word all because we are not seen doing the things we have accomplished cynically in the deepest room of our minds. Jesus, while teaching the congregation, showed us that the man with the wrong actions is not the only one with a case to settle with God, but also he with the wrong intentions. Remember, He didn't just define adultery as an act, but first as a thought- a motive. So, while actions hold great impact on our lives, intentions hold much greater effect.
Many a times, we don't do things not because we can't, but because we lack opportunity- be it good or bad. For instance, when you study Paul's letter to the Philippian church, you would realize that he commended their good deeds firstly based on intention before by action. In verse 10 of chapter 4, you would see that they were finalized as givers despite lacking the opportunity to actually do the giving. Why? Because they had the heart to give and were willing to. And in the same way, the early earthlings were judged for their imagination [things they intended to see occur even if they hadn't done most of it] (Genesis 6:5). You see, a lot of people are not criminals not because they don't want to be, but because they lack the opportunity to be. God always seeks a man with the right intention for action, because such a one will always yield right actions. God said of David, "I have found a man after my own heart". "A man who thinks like I do, and so I'm sure will do as I do". Our intentions carry the same force as our actions do; and in fact it is more deadly because while the acted could be seen, the intended are often not seen by human eyes until when manifested in reality.
Therefore, before you vouch for yourself as being superfluous or godly as the Pharisees do, analyze yourself not by the things you do not do only, but also by the things you do in the labyrinth of your heart using God's word as the standard for judgment. Know this: it is our intentions that condemn us; just as Abraham's intention to surrender Isaac willingly in reverence to God exalted him- and Satan's intention to usurp God's dominion eternally condemned him, our intentions hold the key to either make or mar us.
Hence, get your intentions right before God, so as to attract the attention of greatness on the journey of life (Psalm 24:3-4) in the name of Him who has good thoughts for all at all times (Jeremiah 29:11).
One principal thing every man must know is that God judges our intentions in the same degree He does our actions. He says He examines our reins (thoughts and deeds) to give to us as we deserve (Jeremiah 17:10). Often times due to the extent of our religious and moral piety, we fail to realize how similar we are to those we severely work against God's word all because we are not seen doing the things we have accomplished cynically in the deepest room of our minds. Jesus, while teaching the congregation, showed us that the man with the wrong actions is not the only one with a case to settle with God, but also he with the wrong intentions. Remember, He didn't just define adultery as an act, but first as a thought- a motive. So, while actions hold great impact on our lives, intentions hold much greater effect.
Many a times, we don't do things not because we can't, but because we lack opportunity- be it good or bad. For instance, when you study Paul's letter to the Philippian church, you would realize that he commended their good deeds firstly based on intention before by action. In verse 10 of chapter 4, you would see that they were finalized as givers despite lacking the opportunity to actually do the giving. Why? Because they had the heart to give and were willing to. And in the same way, the early earthlings were judged for their imagination [things they intended to see occur even if they hadn't done most of it] (Genesis 6:5). You see, a lot of people are not criminals not because they don't want to be, but because they lack the opportunity to be. God always seeks a man with the right intention for action, because such a one will always yield right actions. God said of David, "I have found a man after my own heart". "A man who thinks like I do, and so I'm sure will do as I do". Our intentions carry the same force as our actions do; and in fact it is more deadly because while the acted could be seen, the intended are often not seen by human eyes until when manifested in reality.
Therefore, before you vouch for yourself as being superfluous or godly as the Pharisees do, analyze yourself not by the things you do not do only, but also by the things you do in the labyrinth of your heart using God's word as the standard for judgment. Know this: it is our intentions that condemn us; just as Abraham's intention to surrender Isaac willingly in reverence to God exalted him- and Satan's intention to usurp God's dominion eternally condemned him, our intentions hold the key to either make or mar us.
Hence, get your intentions right before God, so as to attract the attention of greatness on the journey of life (Psalm 24:3-4) in the name of Him who has good thoughts for all at all times (Jeremiah 29:11).
Comments
Post a Comment
What do you think?