“Above all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it.” – Pr 4:23

As long as Christ is preached, it does not matter whether it was preached out of love or selfish ambition. (Php 1:18) However it does matter to the person who preached without the right motive in his heart. While people look at the outside appearance, the LORD looks at the heart. (1Sa 16:7) God knows every thought of our hearts. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Heb 4:13)

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Matt 7:21-23) When our hearts are not right with God, all what we had done came to nothing. For our hearts to be right with God, we must be the doers of the Word. (Matt 7:24-27)

Don’t let anyone fool you into believing the “cheap grace”. All what we are doing now have eternal consequences. Yes, it is all by the grace of God through faith (Eph 2:8) and we totally rely on the finished work of Christ on the cross. Hence every good works you do must be done in Christ, because Jesus said apart from Him we can do nothing. (Jn 15:5b) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Col 3:23-24)

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for your finished work on the cross so that I am your workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen.

Before we go, take a look at the questionnaire below:

1. Why does God place such importance on our inner motives when we act? How can we ensure that our hearts remain upright before Him?

2. Our Lord Jesus warned that not everyone who calls Him “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. What does this caution mean to you personally?

3. Why do we say that every good work we perform must be carried out in Christ?