Reflections from May 14, 2010

Paul gets right to the meat of the bones spiritually speaking and tells us in Romans 2:5-10, "...the righteous judgement of God, who will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness--indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

At first glance, this seems to say that God is going to reward people for doing good works which is a bit of an inconsistency in that the only way to Heaven is through Christ Jesus and His salvation. However, further study with The Wycliffe Bible Commentary helped me understand that God is looking at the same time both inward and outward on His people and will be able to judge our hearts by seeing our actions. It says, "Works are always central in the New Testament picture of judgement. They are an outward indication of an individual's inward trust or commitment. The Lord, of course, looks at both the inward and the outward. But the outward activity reveals the inward conviction. ... actions disclose convictions (or lack of them).

Our verses from Proverbs today seem very pertinent to what we just read in Romans. From Proverbs 14:2 we read, "He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.

This tells us that Solomon even knew outward actions are an indication of inward thoughts toward God. Not only will God see this, but generally man will also.

And Proverbs 15:3 tells us, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good."

In every place includes our hearts and minds. God hears our thoughts and watches our desires of the heart. God will be able to sync our actions with our commitment to Him. If we guard our hearts, and keep His word in our thoughts, we will protect ourselves and will continue to seek glory and honor through the Lord.

Blessings to all