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Jarrod Jacobs: God Sees What Man Does Not See

When Samuel was sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king, he was sure that he had found the new king when he saw Eliab (I Sam. 16:6). “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart’” (I Sam. 16:7).

    The lesson of I Samuel 16 ought to be taught again and again to people! We need to understand that God has the ability to look on the hearts of folks when men cannot! God can judge motives, will, and intentions, but man cannot do that. Jesus said, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:20). In other words, a man can see what another man does or does not do. A man can hear what another man says. Yet, he cannot know a person’s motivation unless this is revealed. In contrast, God knows the inner thoughts and intentions of a man, regardless of whether or not they are revealed outwardly! Our Father sees what man does not see!

    While men today see only the “outward” man; God can see the “inner” man, including our sins. Not only can God see sin, but He knows what it does to our souls! For instance, the prophet Isaiah said: “Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil” (Isa. 1:4-6).

    Notice how God described those in sin. He said they were, “struck,” “sick,” “faint,” rebels, unsound from head to foot, wounded, bruised, and unmedicated. Perhaps when a man looked at their outward appearance, these folks would have seemed healthy, happy, and without a problem. Yet, when God looked upon them, He saw the truth! He saw what men could not see! (See also: Rev. 3:17)

    Paul, inspired of the Holy Spirit, said, “...but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (II Cor. 4:16). Notice please that what was described in the first part of this passage could be seen by all, “the outward man”. This is the part that is perishing, or dying. The “inward man” (the part that God alone sees), is what is being renewed day by day.

    Friends, which part most concerns us? Is it the part of man which we see (temporary), or the part which we do not see (eternal)? I think it is obvious what captivates the minds of people. We need to break free from such thinking and focus upon what is most important – our souls (Matt. 16:26; Mk. 16:16)! When God looks at us, does he see a healthy soul; or a sick, diseased soul, in need of the spiritual “medication” provided by the Great Physician?
-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167

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