I wrote yesterday of the Word of God, that double edged sword that is living and active and able to penetrate and separate and judge the ideas and thoughts of our hearts. It is a sword that not only judges but also heals. [Hebrews 4:12]
The scary part of Hebrews 4 happens when the writer goes on to tell us that God sees everything. EVERYTHING! “No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.” [Hebrews 4:13 HCSB]
That’s not a very comforting thought for some. That may not be a very comforting thought for many. God sees everything, nothing is hidden from Him. The good, the bad, and the ugly are all within God’s view.
I was raised in the Catholic Church. My father was a cradle Catholic, and my mother converted when they got married. I learned very early two important truths (for which I will be eternally grateful). First, there is a God. Second, I have a responsibility to Him. Or as the writer above notes, “Him to Whom we must give account.”
Those two truths have accompanied me throughout my life. However, there was one problem with the things I learned as a child, that is, the thought of giving an account of all my actions to God brought in fear and guilt.
The God to Whom I must give an account seemed to be a God who was looking for my every mistake, who was reminding me of my unworthiness at every turn, who was seeking ways to keep me out of His presence rather than a way to draw me in closer.
It was not until I reached adulthood that I learned God was very different than what I thought. I met my great aunt Julie … and then I met my great aunt Julie’s Jesus. And everything changed. More tomorrow.
