GOD’S WORD FOR JULY 9 ~ ~ ~ Luke 17:10~ ~ “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”

(speaking of God seeing our acts as an extension of our heart)

In Hebrews 11:6 the very same issue of sacrifices is addressed that we have in Proverbs 15:8. Hebrews 11:4 says:

“By FAITH Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain.” Why was Abel’s sacrifice pleasing to God and not Cain’s? The reason is that Abel’s sacrifice was offered BY FAITH, but Cain’s wasn’t; and without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

So I answer our first question by saying that the reason a “good” act –like a sacrifice— can be an abomination to God is that an act is viewed by God as an outworking of the condition of the heart. If the heart did not give rise to the act from an impulse of faith, the act is not pleasing to God, no matter how “religious” or “moral.”

Another way to say this would be to say that if our behavior does not glorify God, it is not pleasing to God. What makes behavior glorify God most is when it is done out of a great CONFIDENCE that God is meeting EVERY need.

Abraham grew strong in his FAITH, giving GLORY TO GOD, and fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:20-21). Trusting in the promises of God and acting out of that trust glorifies the trustworthiness of God and his ability, wisdom and power to do what he promises.

We glorify God when our service comes from faith in his strength, because the one who gives the strength gets the glory. This is the plain statement of 1Peter 4:11:

“Let him who serves serve in the STRENGTH THAT GOD SUPPLIES in order that in everything GOD MAY GET THE GLORY.”

So God has pleasure in an act that comes from faith because he has pleasure in the demonstration of his glory.

Acts that do not come from faith are not God-centered in this way and cannot please the God we have come to know in Scripture.

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( My addition: Note the verse of the day in the beginning of this writing—

“So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”

Think about this: what kind of servants are we to the God of the Universe?

How can we be anything BUT unprofitable when He has to keep our heart pumping, enable our muscles to lift our arms and legs, pump blood to our brains, not to mention the millions of chemical reactions that have to happen every second, to keep our bodies functioning, and all at PRECISELY the right nano-second! How could we be of any good to Him without Him keeping us going? OF COURSE WE’RE UNPROFITABLE!

And that doesn’t even consider the world itself, the universe, and all that entails, every creature and plant in creation, AND the headache of the constant existence of evil and many humans falling for the lies.

How can we think that we—–any of us—–could possibly please THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE ALMIGHTY GOD?

IT ALL COMES FROM HIM! That’s why He is the ALPHA AND OMEGA—beginning and the end!!!!)

When we keep that verse in mind constantly, our relationship with Him will fall into place where it should be. He doesn’t need us—in any sense of the word—-But we desperately need Him, for this life and the eternal life to come!!!!

Don’t take chances—give your life to Jesus now, because you don’t know when you’ll suddenly die. Eternity is forever—–in heaven or hell. You decide.)

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