I've been thinking on this a lot lately.
How often do I live to please others...
and forget that my purpose is to please the LORD?
I've been looking at the motives of my heart.
Why do I do what I do?
Am I any different when I am alone and
*no one* sees me?
Ah, the litmus test of the heart.
Heart religion.
Am I a Pharisee?
A Hypocrite?
Food for thought.
Our precious Saviour had a few things
to say on this matter.
HE always looks on the heart.
White-washed tombs was what
He called those who looked good
on the outside,
but their hearts were far from Him.
Oh. Dear. Me.
Living for HIM.
Looking unto HIM.
Following HIM.
In everything.
"That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written,
He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
~ I Corinthians 1:29-31 ~
For HIS glory.
Not mine.
By HIS grace.
Alone.
How often do I live to please others...
and forget that my purpose is to please the LORD?
I've been looking at the motives of my heart.
Why do I do what I do?
Am I any different when I am alone and
*no one* sees me?
Ah, the litmus test of the heart.
Heart religion.
Am I a Pharisee?
A Hypocrite?
Food for thought.
Our precious Saviour had a few things
to say on this matter.
HE always looks on the heart.
White-washed tombs was what
He called those who looked good
on the outside,
but their hearts were far from Him.
Oh. Dear. Me.
Living for HIM.
Looking unto HIM.
Following HIM.
In everything.
"That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written,
He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
~ I Corinthians 1:29-31 ~
For HIS glory.
Not mine.
By HIS grace.
Alone.
16 comments:
Camille,
I've seen this up close, including in myself, since we all can even act differently around strangers and friends than we do with family. I think it's an area that deserves constant attention, and I'm thankful for my encounters with hypocrisy growing up because it's made me so aware of NOT encouraging that in our own family, consciously or subconsciously. It's when we forget that grace is for sinners, that Jesus came to heal the sick, that we get into trouble. Yes, my friend, may He ever preserve us to keep our eyes fixed on Him and to always desire to please Him and not man. Love and hugs to you!
Oh, Camille, I love your tender heart. I've been doing much of the same...asking, asking, asking Him to search me and try my ways that I might have pure motives. Carroll bought me a piece of pottery last fall...a bowl and it has inscribed in it, "Create in me a clean heart, O Lord". I keep it on top of the microwave...I wanted it out where I can see it A LOT. Thank you for this beautiful and challenging post, sweet friend. The tulips are beautiful!
Your blog brings comfort to my heart~
~Cinnamon
Hey Friend!
That has been on my mind as well, along with some other things the Lord is working on with me. It just brings me to my knees before our Sovereign God, thanking Him daily for His grace and mercy that He lavishes upon me. I'm so undeserving of that. Rest in Him while He does His great work in your life my friend.
Enjoy Him tomorrow as you gather with your fellow saints.
Your friend in Christ...Christa
Beautiful post, Camille...and I love those tulips...what gorgeous colours!
Great reminder and definitely something to ponder, often.
Beautiful pic, too!
Dear Camille,
Thanks for the good words and the Scripture :) :) Just as a sidenote, those tulips are beautiful. That is one of my favorite flowers :) :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather
p.s. Guess what I found out when I was cleaning out my jar of USA pennies... a CANADIAN penny :) :)..and not just any penny. It's a 1937 Canadian penny with the profile of King George (Queen Elizabeth II's dad) :) :)
Dear Trisha ~ Oh how we NEED the LORD!! Oh that we would have wisdom to teach and train our children in the ways of the LORD...might HE be glorified in all we do. Thank you for your sweet encouragement. :)
Dear Dianna ~ Oh how precious our Saviour is! I *love* it that it really is ALL of HIM and none of me...what a blessing that HE promises to do this work in us! Thank you for always being such an encouragement to me! :)
Dear Cinnamon ~ How precious to know...the LORD be glorified! May the LORD bless you as you look to HIM for all you need...HE is faithful! :)
Dear Christa ~ Isn't the LORD wonderful? The longer I live, the more I see my need of HIS grace and mercy...what a blessing to belong to HIM! May the LORD bless you tomorrow as you worship with HIS people. :)
Dear Julze ~ Thank you for your kind words! May the LORD be glorified in all we do. The tulips were a gift from my Dad last year...so sweet. :)
Dear Jackie ~ Oh how I need to really let these truths sink in! How precious that the LORD doesn't leave us without HIS grace and mercy...we are so blessed! :)
Dear Heather in Oregon ~ How fun that you found that penny! My boys would enjoy that...they *collect* various coins. :)
Many blessings to each of you!
Have a wonderful LORD's Day tomorrow.
In His Love,
Camille
Your blogs are so heartwarming Camille! Thank you! Love you my friend!
Dear Farmgirl ~ Thank you for your sweet encouragement...I appreciate you! May the LORD be glorified in all we do and say ~ (Colossians 3:17).
With Love,
Camille
Yes, Yes, Yes!!! Thank you for sharing truth. I so struggle with this... particularly with homeschooling.
Dear Jennifer ~ Oh how precious you are! Hang in there my friend...we live unto HIM!! :)
With Love,
Camille
Oh man does this post ever ring true. I find myself being angry and thinking things in my head that I would NEVER, EVER speak and I know that my thoughts grieve the Lord.
Love this post. Thanks for stopping by my blog as well! I hope I'll find some time to come by and check out your blog some more!
Blessings!
Welcome Beaver Bunch ~ It's lovely to *meet* you. Thank you for taking the time to stop by. Oh, that the LORD would help us all to live to bring glory to HIS name...what a blessing that HE gives the grace and strength day by day! :)
Many blesssings,
Camille
I've struggled with this more and more lately, especially since we found a church family. When it was just my husband and me, we just focused on grace and now I get so caught up in the evidence of the fruits and sanctification I border on legalism. It's as if I have to keep making myself go back to grace.
Dear Michelle ~ Oh how we need the LORD's Grace every day!! The Gospel NEVER grows *old*...it is needful each and every moment of our lives. How precious that HE is teaching you much of Himself. Continue to follow after HIM...HE is faithful! :)
Many blessings,
Camille
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