“Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
There are two examples that come to mind when I think of great men who failed GOD. First, there’s David, who was the leader of GOD’s nation, Israel, and yet he killed a man to cover up his sin. Then there’s Moses, Israel’s great leader, who did many miracles in GOD’s name, that was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.
Yet GOD called David a man after HIS own heart, and it is said that there will never be another prophet like Moses, who spoke to GOD face to face. These were GOD’s chosen leaders, set to be examples for HIS people.
Why would GOD speak so highly of such men as these? Should it not be that their sins should them, follow them to the grave? Shouldn’t they be constantly reminded of their shortcomings in light of the privilege that GOD gave to them? Should we ever forget what they have done?
According to what I see in writings today, we should bash them forever. We should strip them of their title and their privilege. We should never let them forget. But that’s not GOD’s way. GOD extends forgiveness to all no matter the “level” of sin they commit. HE doesn’t have levels for sin. HE just sees sin and
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I’m reminded of Romans 11. There’s a part in that chapter where GOD is warning the Gentiles not to become too cocky. He reminds all Gentiles that their place in HIM can be stripped away just as easily as was the place of the disobedient Jews. “Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.” (Romans 11:20-21) In relaying this message to us in modern times, it would probably read differently. It would say for us to be careful of the judgements that you want GOD to exact on others because of their sin because in GOD’s justice HE would have to exact the same level of judgement on us when we sin. And remember, there are no levels of sin in GOD, just
The two views of these to two men, David and Daud expressed different beliefs. One (David), is a Jewish Israeli. The other man, Daud, is a very upset Palestinian Arab. Throughout the discussion they both are bringing up each of the countries faults and seeing if any of these points can maybe be resolved. It seems however as though, for right now they failed. I personally have to side with the Israeli man David. His point is very clear for me to see and it seems that all the Jewish people are there to help each other and to have their own place to call home.
Thus, aiding Christians’ in understanding the biblical perspective, one must first question what term is used in scripture when referencing personality. It is thought by some that “heart” is often used when discussing the root of one’s personality. Therefore, if an individual were to use this belief as a guide in understanding the biblical view of the matter, he or she may turn to Luke 6:45, where Jesus states, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth that which is good... (KJV).” Consequently, we can perceive that the heart is the center of man; it is where he ponders and processes life, which aids in the determination of how he responds to stimuli. Furthermore, according to 1 Peter 5:8 it is clearly implied that one must focus on personality responses, as the devil is constantly seeking one whom he can destroy. Clearly, this is a reason it is imperative to remember from a biblical standpoint that the area in which one’s personality is weak, another should be willing to stand by, offering strength to bear the load which he or she holds (Romans 15:1, KJV). Ultimately, the Lord foresaw that due to the various personality traits of the body of believers there would be weaknesses and strengths, thus in 1 Corinthians 12:20, it is stated, “But now are they many members, yet but one body (KJV).” Consequently, God intended for the parts of the body to operate together as one; meanwhile He looks into the heart of man to discern the personality within (1 Samuel 16:7,
“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us
That person might look good on the outside, but if their heart is exposed they may not
How can a man exact vengeance on God if there is nothing a mortal can do to hurt Him? The Pardoner was born sterile, which resulted in abnormal physical development. He blames God for his deformities and attempts to attack God by attacking the link between God and mankind – the Church.
Then one day when he was twenty, he suddenly felt that he had the wrath of God on him. He realized that his sin was not forgiven, he was just doing good works and religious things to make up the difference. Even though he realized this, he still thought that his good works would still account for his good. He prayed and prayed but could not get anywhere. He even set a time to fast, but still God did not seem to work. All the while God was softening David's heart, David was having a problem with self-confidence. He was confident that the works and the religious things which he did were going to help him.5
“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart” (Kahlil). People focus more on the outward appearance instead of the inward appearance. One’s inward appearance is comprised of their character, values, morals, and the true nature of their heart. On the other hand, the outward appearance is composed of one’s dress and grooming. The inward and outward appearance determines whether or not a person is ugly or beautiful. The choices that we make also define whether or not one is ugly or beautiful; choices made in the past can sometimes be repeated in the future.
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in their own sight” (Judg. 21:25). This quote at the end of Judges sets up an optimistic view of kings for the rest of the Deuteronomistic History. King David is considered perhaps the greatest king over all of Israel, whereas King Hezekiah is praised for never turning away from God and being the greatest king among all the kings of Judah (2 Kgs. 5). However, despite the high need for a praise of kings throughout the Deuteronomistic history, Solomon is viewed with a skeptical eye and is the cause of the demise of Israel. Unlike the positive view of kings portrayed throughout the Deuteronomistic history, King Solomon is framed in a negative light in 1 Kings 11: 1-13, which
the ones to judge people even though we do it’s ultimately god’s word and his and his only decision to accept them into his gate of heaven.
I am guilty of inordinate desire; I am guilty of cowardly silence when I should have spoken; I am guilty of untruthfulness and hypocrisy in the face of threatening violence; I am guilty of disowning without mercy the poorest of my neighbors; I am guilty of disloyalty and falling away from Christ. Why does it concern me if others are also guilty? Every sin of another I can excuse; only my own sin, of which I remain guilty, I can never excuse.
The characters in The Crucible are complete hypocrites. The Puritan faith suggests that love, compassion, and forgiveness should be normal habits of daily living. However, judgment ran rampant along many of the characters. One of the main characters that falls into the trap of hypocrisy is Reverend Parris. He preaches about hell and rarely mentions God’s forgiveness. Throughout the third and fourth acts, Reverend Parris looks for ways to help
... use the old metaphor, we are all the blind men, feeling and describing different yet important parts of the elephant of beauty as God guides our hands. He is the ultimate truth and standard by which we determine truth. God is love (1 John 4:8) and therefore standard by which we determine what is and is not loving. God created beauty, a very good thing, and therefore God is beautiful. If even heathens find His works glorious and breath-taking, how much more beautiful He must be! Therefore, as children of the Creator of beauty, striving to be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29), we are to exhibit His beauty – His love – in all areas of our life.
In Judaism, God is seen as having a contractual relationship with the Jewish people where they must obey his holy laws in return for their status of the chosen people. God rewards or punishes Jewish people based on whether they obey or disobey his will. In parts of the Old Testament, however, God does show mercy or forgiveness, and in later interpretations God’s laws such as the Ten Commandments are followed not only out of loyalty to God but also because of their high moral character.
The story of David shows people that when they use the things that God places in their life, He is preparing people for their service to Him. He prayed to God, consulted God in prayer, and unified the northern and southern kingdoms in obedience to God. He was obedient, wise, and just (1 Kings 4:29-34). He is credited with building the great temple of worship to God (1 Kings 6:2).
The distinguishing factor of a person who has power contrary to an individual, who has a purpose to lead, is the intent for their position as a leader. God knew that He would have to send Jesus to save mankind from sin. God reveals to Isaiah that he will send a Savior (Jesus Christ); When the people cry to the Lord for help against those who oppress them, he will send them a savior who will rescue them (Isaiah 19:20). Jesus did not try to gain many followers or become the most popular man in Israel, but instead He wanted to change the life of every person he encountered with or without gratitude or anything in return. It ...