Not equipped to look into the Heart of another

Romans 14:5-6

“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike.  Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.  The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord.  The one who eats, eats in honor to the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.”

It is not the act or action, but the heart attitude of the person who is honoring the day, has it been set apart in their mind and heart as an act of worship to the Lord, if so whom are you or I to pass judgment on them?  And the same thing holds true for the one who abstains, if the reason is to give honor and thanks to God. 

Now that is where it becomes a real problem for religious people, and if you buy into my definition of religion it is what one worships, or puts first in their life.  Anytime you or I place anything before God, and that is so easy to do it has become an act of worship, it may be golf, family, church, career, and the list is very long, but it has become your religion. 

But let’s cut to the chase and keep this focused on those who go by the title Christian, does this not explain to some extent why we have so many denominations?  Do you recall when God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to replace Saul as king and when the first son came out Samuel was sure he was the one, “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his statue, because I have rejected him.  For the Lord sees not as a man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”  You and I being earth critters will always have problems with what is in a mans heart, and will measure him by outward appearance and the press build up, and that can be a very distorted picture.

“The eyes see what the heart loves. If the heart loves God and is single in this devotion, then the eyes will see God whether others see Him or not.”
 Warren Wiersbe   

“I am more afraid of my own heart than the Pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great Pope, Self.” Martin Luther

“I do not know what the heart of a rascal may be, but I know what is in the heart of an honest man; it is horrible.”  Joseph De Maistre These last two quotes reminded me of the Proverbs; “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”  (PROVERBS 4:23) “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) Dear Father, I often take the role of judge, and I give you thanks for reminding me that I’m not equipped to look into the heart of another. From the Back Porch, Bob Rice