Resources/Articles
Searching Matters
God searches our hearts and test our minds to
“give to every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Jeremiah 17.10
How does God search man’s mind? It is by giving instructions as to how to live and how to worship him. God says to do things in a certain way. Will we respect his right to tell us how to live our lives? The verse above says God “searches” and “tests” our minds. How else would the mind be tested? We recognize this in the raising of our own children. We give them instructions, expecting an obedient response. We “test,” we “search” their minds in this manner. We then do as God does to us: Depending upon their reaction, we give to them “according to their ways…according to the fruit of their deeds.” This is how we deal with one another, because we were taught it from God. God’s word is the means by which we are “tested.” Our response to his instructions, his commands, either in obedience or disobedience will be dealt with justly by God. God wants to bless us, and purposed to do so through his Son by giving him up for our sins.
The thing that stands between man and these spiritual blessings is his obedience to these commands, particularly in how to be saved through him. “Accept him personally”? “Receive him into your heart”? “Call upon his name”? Yes, but these are all generic in context. Exactly how do you “accept”? How do you “receive”? How do you “call”? The answer lies in what the Savior told the apostles to preach on these matters. Their preaching answers the “how” will specifics. These specifics explain how to “accept”, “receive”, and “call upon”. The book of Acts contains their preaching. The first time that salvation was preached “in Jesus’ name” was in chapter 2. Consider what was told to those who had crucified Jesus when they asked, “What shall we do?” (v. 38). God searches our hearts by his word and will bless us when we respond with an obedient faith (Romans 1.5; 16.26).
