God looks at the heart. Motivation is more important than deeds, and love is more important than numbers. Excerpts from a divine service by the Chief Apostle.
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Photo: NAC Korea
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Photo: NAC Korea
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Photo: NAC Korea
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Photo: NAC Korea
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Photo: NAC Korea
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Photo: NAC Korea
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Photo: NAC Korea
Exactly 333 people attended the divine service on 29 May 2016 in Daejeon in South Korea. The sermon focused on Jeremiah 17: 10: “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”
The good heart
God can see more, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider said at the beginning of the service, and used the example of David to illustrate this. Of all the sons of Jesse, the youngest and smallest was chosen. “God could see that his heart was humble and full of the fear of God.”
David proved this in his fight with Goliath as well as in his struggle with King Saul. David did not suppose that he would conquer the giant. His attitude was: “God will win the battle.” And when David came upon the sleeping king in a cave, he did not follow his companions’ suggestion to kill him. He could not see the will of God in this.
“Because David was humble and God-fearing, God could give him the victory,” the Chief Apostle continued. “We want to have victory in Christ. We do not have to be strong for this. All we have to do is put ourselves in God’s hand and be humble and God-fearing.”
Bad deeds
“Man only looks at deeds. God looks into the heart.” The same applies to sinners. “Man looks at the sin and condemns the sinner, and God sees the sinner but looks at the heart. And according to the heart He grants grace or not.”
The Chief Apostle gave two examples to illustrate this. When Saul was disobedient toward God he blamed the people instead of admitting that it was his fault. “He could not find grace.” When David arranged it so that Uriah was killed in battle so that he could have Bathsheba for himself, he realized what he had done wrong and repented.
“That applies to us too: no one is perfect. Let us admit our sins and repent, for then God will grant us grace.”
The divine standard
God sees the heart. This does not only apply to bad deeds, but also to good deeds. “We do not want to serve God and be obedient out of fear or calculation,” the Chief Apostle said and addressed our motivation. “When we offer we do so because we are thankful to God. When we serve Him we do so out of love. And if our service and our offerings are based on our love and our gratitude, then God will grant His blessing.”
When it comes to blessing, God looks at the heart too. “For some people blessing consists of being in good health, having money, and being successful.” But: “That is not the way God wants to bless us. God wants to bless our hearts.” A joyful heart, peace in Christ, coming closer to God, and becoming more like Him—that is the blessing God will grant us.
“God looks at the heart, at the invisible things. This also applies to the Church,” the Chief Apostle said. Judging by human terms, the completion of the Church would mean that it becomes more and more popular and that it would continue to grow. “But God looks at the heart. The perfection of the bride of Christ cannot be expressed in numbers.” The only thing that counts for God is the love of the bride for Christ and the neighbour, as well as unity. “And once He sees that there is enough love for Christ, enough love for the neighbour, and enough unity, then He will say, ‘Now I can come!’