September 3, 2023
Observe, that such is the mercy of God in Christ to his children, that he accepts their weak endeavours, joined with sincerity and perseverance in his service, as if they were full obedience; and therefore thy are here said to have done all. O who would not serve such a Lord! You hear servants sometimes complain of their masters as being so rigid and strict that they can never please them, no, not when they do their utmost; but this cannot be charged upon God. Be but so faithful as to do thy best, and God is so gracious that he will pardon thy worst.
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But woe to those that cover their sloth with the name of infirmity, yea, that spend their zeal and strength in the pursuit of the world or their lusts, and then think to make all up when charged therewith, that it is in their infirmity, and they can serve God no better…. God knows how to distinguish between the sincerity of a saint in the midst of his infirmities, and the shifts of a false heart.
William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour
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Reading the scriptures, you will find God is concerned with our hearts above all else.
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:23)
We all fall short, but if we try our best with sincerity in our hearts and have faith in the grace of Jesus, God will count our efforts as obedience. This is a beautiful mercy, but it should cause us all to look in the mirror and ask where our efforts are going. Are we trying our best? Do we pursue God’s will with the same effort we seek temporal things like wealth and status? God can see right through our excuses. If we’re chasing these worldly things with zeal but then saying we’re unable, for whatever reason, to serve God, we’re only fooling ourselves. We must set our priorities straight, fix our eyes on heavenly treasure, and pursue it with all our might. We might stumble or fail in our attempts, but the effort alone will please the Lord.