The Treasure In Our Hearts…

Morning!

Raises his cup of coffee ☕

There are some who want the Presence of God,

and then there are those who do not want the Presence of God.

Which one do we want to be?

Romans 2:1-11

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge,

for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself;

for you who judge practice the same things.  But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.  And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?  Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?  But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment 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 Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For there is no partiality with God.”

Paul has just been talking about the characteristics of those who do not seek the Presence of God.  Now, in Chapter 2, Paul addresses the church in Rome about being double-minded.  He is speaking against hypocrisy—but within this passage, there is a truth I want to focus on today.

Paul explains that the Goodness of God is what leads us to repentance.

Repentance of what?

Sinful behavior.

And what is sinful behavior?

Anything that offends the Authority of God, the Goodness of God, the Purity of God, and the Expectations of God.  It is God’s Goodness that should inspire us to repentance.  It is true that a believer has been forgiven of all sins—past, present, and future.  But it is also true that God will render to each of us according to our works.

What I mean is that God remains the same—

past, present, and future.

If our fruits are stored up in heaven,

could they be affected by the sins we continue to commit?

Because where our treasure is, there will our heart be also.

So we ask ourselves:

Do we seek glory from God?

Do we seek honor from God?

If we are seeking immortality, are we seeking God’s Presence for eternity?

Do we think eternity will change how God deals with us?

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth,

where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The key is to make God’s Presence our treasure.