As I read these three questions they made me think and thank God for whom He is – love. If we can remember these questions when we are going through each day it would keep our focus off judgment and put it on caring for people. Verse 7 really shows the heart that God desires us to have by saying; “He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.” It’s not about just doing good to do good, it’s seeking after all that God has taught and given us so the goodness comes out of our heart because we love Him.
When we think of how kind, tolerant, and patient He is we can see that we must have these qualities as well. He does not sit in heaven angry and waiting for us to mess up; He keeps on showing kindness so we will open our heart to others as well. I think we feel that the more good we do the more God loves us, when in fact He just loves everyone and is working through the Spirit to have us understand this love. Verse 11 says, “For God does not show favoritism.” We must keep seeking wisdom and applying what we learn and feel so we can start changing from the inside.
When we know the truth because we are seeking the truth our actions will be done because our heart is changing not because we know the law or what is right. In Romans chapter 2 verses 28-29 Paul does a great job showing the importance of the change that makes us an example that is pleasing to God. “For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law, rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.”
We need to open our hearts and learn to see how amazing Jesus’ sacrifice was and continue to grow and show how His behavior is important to us. Then our lives will show kindness and that kindness will help people see Christ in us; which is what God wants us to show. Amen