Everything about our relationship with God is heart-centered. We can sing until our throats are sore, but if our hearts aren't involved, we aren't "singing and making music to the Lord." If our hearts aren't 100% in agreement with the lovely notes and words bursting from our mouths, God isn't impressed. God wants our hearts.
Think about all the verses that we've covered so far that affirm this... Romans 10:9-10, Psalm 119:11, Deuteronomy 6:6, Hebrews 4:12, John 14:1, John 14:27, Proverbs 3:5, 2 Corinthians 9:7....these are all verses that deal with our hearts and making sure they are turned toward God.
I think one of Jesus' main points in his discussion with the Pharisees was to try to get them to see that no matter how well they kept the Law, and all of the additional add-on laws they had created, unless their hearts were aligned with their actions, they were not in true relationship with their Father. Empty actions mean nothing to God, and actions done for man's approval really aren't what He is looking for from His children. In Job 35:13, we are even told that words thrown up to God without sincere faith, are not regarded..."Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it."
The actions and praises that bring pleasure to God are those that are driven by our love for Him. When God sees children that are doing His will because of their thankfulness and gratefulness for His grace and mercy extended toward them, and understanding that He is a loving Father designing and planning wonderful things for their future when we comply with His will...THEN I believe He is very pleased, and then, I think, we find the relationship with Him that not only He has desired, but that WE have desired all of our lives.
Sing from your heart...speak from your heart....act from your heart...live from your heart...making sure that your heart has been given over to the One who loves you!
Think about all the verses that we've covered so far that affirm this... Romans 10:9-10, Psalm 119:11, Deuteronomy 6:6, Hebrews 4:12, John 14:1, John 14:27, Proverbs 3:5, 2 Corinthians 9:7....these are all verses that deal with our hearts and making sure they are turned toward God.
I think one of Jesus' main points in his discussion with the Pharisees was to try to get them to see that no matter how well they kept the Law, and all of the additional add-on laws they had created, unless their hearts were aligned with their actions, they were not in true relationship with their Father. Empty actions mean nothing to God, and actions done for man's approval really aren't what He is looking for from His children. In Job 35:13, we are even told that words thrown up to God without sincere faith, are not regarded..."Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it."
The actions and praises that bring pleasure to God are those that are driven by our love for Him. When God sees children that are doing His will because of their thankfulness and gratefulness for His grace and mercy extended toward them, and understanding that He is a loving Father designing and planning wonderful things for their future when we comply with His will...THEN I believe He is very pleased, and then, I think, we find the relationship with Him that not only He has desired, but that WE have desired all of our lives.
Sing from your heart...speak from your heart....act from your heart...live from your heart...making sure that your heart has been given over to the One who loves you!
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