We
are
influenced
by
a
spiritual
realm
that
is
comprised
of
Godly
and
satanic
entities—both
with
opposing objectives—for God searches for hearts to redeem, and Satan searches for hearts to destroy.
God
chooses
us,
and
then
changes
the
desires
of
our
heart
to
choose
Him.
The
fact
that
you
are
reading
these
words
means
(1)
you
are
seeking
to
know
more
about
God,
and
(2)
you
are
being
influenced
by
the
Holy
Spirit.
For
evidence,
answer
the
following
questions
given
John
15:16,
“You
did
not choose Me, but I chose you.”
•
If
you
have
a
desire
within
your
heart
to
know
more
about
God…did
you
create
these
motivations
and thoughts by yourself ? Or, is God (via the Holy Spirit) creating them within you?
•
If you desire a closer relationship with God…how did these desires arise within you?
•
Are you finding God, or is He revealing Himself to you?
Here
is
another
thought-provoking
question
to
consider.
This
may
seem
somewhat
odd,
may
be
difficult
to
imagine,
and
may
cause
you
some
discomfort…but
imagine
yourself
in
“God’s
shoes”
and
look
at
yourself
through
His
eyes.
For
what
reasons
would
you
(as
God)
choose
you
as
being
worthy
of
receiving
your
gift
of
grace
and
eternal
salvation?
As
you
begin
to
contemplate
your
answer,
consider
the following:
•
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way.”
Isaiah 53:6
•
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23
•
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
1 John 1:8
Given
the
fact
all
of
us
are
unworthy
of
God’s
consideration
because
of
our
sins—you
may
begin
to
identify
some
of
your
positive
attributes,
your
intellectual
capabilities,
past
and
ongoing
successes,
and
“good
behavior”
as
reasons
why
you
would
choose
you.
But
in
truth,
these
thoughts
are
amiss.
For
there
is
nothing
we
can
do—based
upon
our
own
human
capabilities
and
efforts—that
are
pleasing
to
God.
•
“No flesh should glory in His presence.”
1 Corinthians 1:29
•
“The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”
1 Corinthians 3:19
•
“All of our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.”
Isaiah 64:6
•
Jesus revealed,
“Without Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
So,
every
human
being
is
faced
with
a
conundrum.
Since
we
humans
are
unable
to
offer
anything
to
God
that
He
desires,
then
is
there
anything
within
us
that
is
desirable
to
God?
The
answer
resides
within
our
heart—for
God
does
not
look
at
us
as
we
look
at
others.
“The
Lord
does
not
see
as
man
sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
God
does
not
consider
our
sinful
words
and
behavior,
but
looks
deeply
into
the
inner
workings
and
intentions
of
our
heart.
The
creator
of
the
universe,
the
One
who
spoke
the
earth
into
existence,
and
the
One
who
formed
us
from
the
dust
of
the
ground—searches
hearts
and
tests
the
minds
of
His
human
creation to find those who may love and serve Him.
•
“I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind.”
Jeremiah 17:10
•
“The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart.”
Prov 20:27
•
“I am He who searches the minds and hearts.”
Revelation 2:23
The
heart
in
scripture
is
the
unseen
“inner
essence”
of
our
spiritual
soul
that
influences
who
we
are,
what
we
say,
and
what
we
do.
Jesus
declared,
“A
good
man
out
of
the
good
treasure
of
his
heart
brings
forth
good;
and
an
evil
man
out
of
the
evil
treasure
of
his
heart
brings
forth
evil.
For
out
of
the
abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
God
searches
the
most
important
thing:
the
deep
desires
of
our
heart.
The
reason
why
God
looks
beyond
our
sinful
condition
is
because
He
has
the
desire
and
power
to
transform
us
from
spiritual
death
to
life.
“He
is
faithful
and
just
to
forgive
us
our
sins
and
to
cleanse
us
from
all
unrighteousness.”
1
John
1:9
Why Does God Search Hearts And Minds?
While
there
may
be
many
reasons
why
God
searches
the
hearts
and
minds,
two
seem
to
be
paramount:
developing
eternal
relationships,
and
identifying
those
who
will
serve
Him
(as
a
conduit
of
His love) by ministering to the needs of others.
Eternal
Relationships
—Because
of
God’s
love
for
us—He
initiated
the
means
to
establish
a
relationship
with
Him
by
giving
us
a
free
gift:
He
crucified
His
Son
as
an
atonement
for
our
sins.
“For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
God
so
loved
the
world
that
He
gave
us
His
Son—because
He
desires
our
love
in
return.
Jesus
summarized
the
underlying
message
of
the
entire
Bible
when
He
declared
the
first
and
great
commandment:
“Love
the
Lord
your
God
with
all
your
heart,
with
all
your
soul,
and
with
all
your
mind.”
Matthew 22:37
What’s
more,
we
are
incapable
of
comprehending
the
depth
and
breadth
of
God’s
love—which
He
will
continue
to
express
towards
us
throughout
eternity.
“Eye
has
not
seen,
nor
ear
heard,
nor
have
entered
into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“Now
I
saw
a
new
heaven
and
a
new
earth,
for
the
first
heaven
and
the
first
earth
had
passed
away.
Also
there
was
no
more
sea.
Then
I,
John,
saw
the
holy
city,
New
Jerusalem,
coming
down
out
of
heaven
from
God,
prepared
as
a
bride
adorned
for
her
husband.
And
I
heard
a
loud
voice
from
heaven
saying,
‘Behold,
the
tabernacle
of
God
is
with
men,
and
He
will
dwell
with
them,
and
they
shall
be
His
people.
God
Himself
will
be
with
them
and
be
their
God.
And
God
will
wipe
away
every
tear
from
their
eyes;
there
shall
be
no
more
death,
nor
sorrow,
nor
crying.
There
shall
be
no
more
pain,
for
the
former
things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4
Willing
Servants
—God
communicated
to
the
world
through
His
Son—who
uplifted
and
declared
the
Father
and
His
truth
via
the
words
He
spoke,
His
miracles,
and
in
His
interactions
with
the
lost—as
both
a servant and the only role model worthy of human reflection.
“Let
this
mind
be
in
you
which
was
also
in
Christ
Jesus,
who,
being
in
the
form
of
God,
did
not
consider
it
robbery
to
be
equal
with
God,
but
made
Himself
of
no
reputation,
taking
the
form
of
a
bondservant,
and
coming
in
the
likeness
of
men.
And
being
found
in
appearance
as
a
man,
He
humbled
Himself
and
became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-9
The
Holy
Spirit
equips
us—for
all
humans
are
all
“ill-equipped”
to
spiritually
serve
Him
and
minister
to
others.
“And
He
Himself
gave
some
to
be
apostles,
some
prophets,
some
evangelists,
and
some
pastors
and
teachers,
for
the
equipping
of
the
saints
for
the
work
of
ministry,
for
the
edifying
of
the
body
of
Christ,
till
we
all
come
to
the
unity
of
the
faith
and
of
the
knowledge
of
the
Son
of
God,
to
a
perfect
man,
to
the
measure
of
the
stature
of
the
fullness
of
Christ;
that
we
should
no
longer
be
children,
tossed
to
and
fro
and
carried
about
with
every
wind
of
doctrine,
by
the
trickery
of
men,
in
the
cunning
craftiness
of
deceitful
plotting,
but,
speaking
the
truth
in
love,
may
grow
up
in
all
things
into
Him
who
is
the
head—Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-15
What Does God Look For Within Our Hearts?
Jesus
taught
a
broad
spectrum
of
revelatory
truths
to
the
multitudes
during
His
Sermon
on
the
Mount
(Matthew
chapters
5
to
7).
He
began
His
discourse
(Matthew
5:3-10)
by
listing
the
Beatitudes
(or
attributes
of
the
heart)
that
God
desires,
searches
for,
magnifies
within
us
(via
the
Holy
Spirit),
and
blesses.
These
words
of
Jesus
provides
us
with
wonderous
insight
into
the
nature
of
God.
But
in
addition,
these
words
enable
those
who
have
placed
their
faith
in
Him
as
their
Savior
and
Lord
to
discern
the
spiritual
transformation
that
is
occurring
within
themselves.
For
example,
take
time
to
read
and
think
deeply
about each beatitude. As you read, identify one or more attributes of your heart:
•
That existed prior to your salvation.
•
That began after your salvation.
God
searches
for
the
existence
of
one
or
more
of
the
attributes
of
the
heart—and
then
begins
the
process
of
sanctification
(to
cleanse
us
of
unrighteousness
and
prepare
us
for
eternity
with
Him).
For
example,
one
who
is
in
the
midst
of
this
process
will
pray,
“Search
me,
O
God,
and
know
my
heart;
try
me,
and
know
my
anxieties;
and
see
if
there
is
any
wicked
way
in
me,
and
lead
me
in
the
way
everlasting.” Psalm 139:23
However,
Satan
uses
the
antithesis
of
the
Beatitudes
to
identify
those
whom
he
can
make
his
own.
For
example,
Satan
looks
for
those
who
are
not
poor
in
spirit;
those
who
do
not
express
grief
or
empathy
for
others;
those
who
are
not
meek;
those
who
do
not
care
about
the
righteousness
of
God;
those
who
are
not
merciful;
those
who
have
an
impure
heart;
those
who
sow
discord;
those
who
will
deny
Jesus
before
others;
and
those
who
may
be
used
to
propagate
spiritual
and
physical
death.
In
addition,
these
are
those
who
prefer
lies
over
truth,
have
a
hardened
heart,
and
are
driven
by
fulfilling
the
desires
of
their
flesh.
For
more
information,
read
“The
Beatitudes,
Indicators
and
Blessings
of
Spiritual
Transformation”
on
UniqueBibleStudies.com
.
He Makes Us His Own
“Therefore,
if
anyone
is
in
Christ,
he
is
a
new
creation;
old
things
have
passed
away;
behold,
all
things
have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Jeremiah
18
describes
the
transformation
that
occurs
as
the
workings
of
a
potter
that
shapes
and
forms
clay.
Isiah
also
references
this
analogous
truth,
“We
are
the
clay,
and
You
our
potter;
and
all
we
are
the
work
of
Your
hand.” Isiah 64:8
The
“potter’s
tools”
used
by
the
Holy
spirit
to
shape
and
form
us
into
the
image
of
Jesus
includes
God’s
word;
God’s
grace;
God’s
forgiveness;
God’s
love;
life’s
temptations
and
trials;
interactions
with
other
Christians,
and God’s chastisement when we fall short.
Loving
parents
will
use
different
forms
of
punishment
when
their
children
misbehave—all
for
the
child’s
benefit.
God
does
the
same
with
us
when
we
fail.
Do
you
feel
bad
on
the
inside
(i.e.
guilt
and
shame)
when
you
fall
short?
Plus,
do
you
feel
“disconnected”
from
your
relationship
with
God?
For
these
consequential
“feelings”
are
for
our
benefit,
and
are
forms
of
punishment
God
uses
when
we
misbehave.
•
“My
son,
do
not
despise
the
chastening
of
the
Lord,
nor
be
discouraged
when
you
are
rebuked
by
Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”
Heb 12:6
•
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13
Give
God
glory,
honor,
and
praise—who
searched
our
hearts;
recognized
our
potential
to
love
and
serve Him; and changed us from darkness into light—for we are chosen and blessed beyond measure.
“Giving
thanks
to
the
Father
who
has
qualified
us
to
be
partakers
of
the
inheritance
of
the
saints
in
the
light.
He
has
delivered
us
from
the
power
of
darkness
and
conveyed
us
into
the
kingdom
of
the
Son
of
His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14
“For
you
see
your
calling,
brethren,
that
not
many
wise
according
to
the
flesh,
not
many
mighty,
not
many
noble,
are
called.
But
God
has
chosen
the
foolish
things
of
the
world
to
put
to
shame
the
wise,
and
God
has
chosen
the
weak
things
of
the
world
to
put
to
shame
the
things
which
are
mighty;
and
the
base
things
of
the
world
and
the
things
which
are
despised
God
has
chosen,
and
the
things
which
are
not,
to
bring
to
nothing
the
things
that
are,
that
no
flesh
should
glory
in
His
presence.
But
of
Him
you
are
in
Christ
Jesus,
who
became
for
us
wisdom
from
God—and
righteousness
and
sanctification
and
redemption—that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.’” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
“But
you
are
a
chosen
generation,
a
royal
priesthood,
a
holy
nation,
His
own
special
people,
that
you
may
proclaim
the
praises
of
Him
who
called
you
out
of
darkness
into
His
marvelous
light;
who
once
were
not
a
people
but
are
now
the
people
of
God,
who
had
not
obtained
mercy
but
now
have
obtained
mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
All for His Glory,
Harold D. Thomas
Bible Study Thought-Provoking Questions
The
purpose
of
the
questions
is
to
facilitate
a
deeper
understanding
of
the
Bible,
this
Bible
study
topic,
and
ourselves.
The
questions
may
be
answered
by
each
reader,
or
used
by
a
Bible
study
group
leader,
or
church
pastor.
The
questions
should
be
answered
or
discussed
after
reading
“
You
did
not
choose
Me,
but
I
CHOOSE
YOU.”
In
addition,
the
questions
are
designed
to
enhance
learning
via
the
determination
of
personal
opinions
and/or
discovering
how
the
lesson
content
relates
to
our
personal
lives. As such, no answers are provided.
Questions
John
15:16
states
God
chose
us
instead
of
us
choosing
Him.
Can
you
identify
any
events
and/or
spiritual
influences
(that
occurred
prior
to
you
accepting
Jesus
as
your
Savior)
that
directed
your
path
towards Him?
Two
reasons
where
given
as
to
why
God
searches
the
hearts
and
minds:
relationship
and
servitude.
Are both interdependent and synergistic? Explain.
Based upon the Beatitudes…
•
Identify at least 3 attributes of the heart you desire in a friend.
•
Which Beatitude do you consider the most important?
Isiah
64:8
compares
how
God
shapes
us
like
a
potter
shapes
clay.
The
lesson
identified
various
“potter’s
tools”
that
God
uses
to
transform
us
into
the
image
of
Jesus.
Can
you
identify
a
personal
example?
Read
Colossians
1:12-14
(above
in
this
lesson).
Explain
God’s
actions
(each
bolded
word
below)
that
He performs after we are chosen.
•
Qualified
us to be partakers.
•
Delivered
us from the power of darkness.
•
Conveyed
us into the kingdom.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (above in this lesson).
•
Why are not many wise (according to human wisdom), mighty, and noble called by God?
•
What
are
the
“obstacles
to
salvation”
for
those
who
think
they
are
wise,
are
mighty,
or
who
are
noble?
•
Can you think of examples where God has chosen:
o
Foolish things of the world to put shame to the wise.
o
Weak things of the world to put shame to the things which are mighty.
o
The base and despised of the world.
•
How does
“no flesh should glory in His presence”
influence:
o
Whom God chooses?
o
Our process of sanctification (preparation for eternity with Him).
o
Our spiritual realization that we are completely dependent upon Him—for everything?
Did you learn anything new from this lesson? Explain.
You may do
wnload a PDF version of the questions by clicking on this button.
The words of Jesus Christ are in
red text.
The words of Jesus
are in red text.
We
are
influenced
by
a
spiritual
realm
that
is
comprised
of
Godly
and
satanic
entities—both
with
opposing
objectives—for
God
searches
for
hearts
to
redeem,
and
Satan searches for hearts to destroy.
God
chooses
us,
and
then
changes
the
desires
of
our
heart
to
choose
Him.
The
fact
that
you
are
reading
these
words
means
(1)
you
are
seeking
to
know
more
about
God,
and
(2)
you
are
being
influenced
by
the
Holy
Spirit.
For
evidence,
answer
the
following
questions
given
John
15:16,
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you.”
•
If
you
have
a
desire
within
your
heart
to
know
more
about
God…did
you
create
these
motivations
and
thoughts
by
yourself
?
Or,
is
God
(via
the
Holy
Spirit)
creating them within you?
•
If
you
desire
a
closer
relationship
with
God…how
did
these desires arise within you?
•
Are
you
finding
God,
or
is
He
revealing
Himself
to
you?
Here
is
another
thought-provoking
question
to
consider.
This
may
seem
somewhat
odd,
may
be
difficult
to
imagine,
and
may
cause
you
some
discomfort…but
imagine
yourself
in
“God’s
shoes”
and
look
at
yourself
through
His
eyes.
For
what
reasons
would
you
(as
God)
choose
you
as
being
worthy
of
receiving
your
gift
of
grace
and
eternal
salvation?
As
you
begin
to
contemplate your answer, consider the following:
•
“All
we
like
sheep
have
gone
astray;
we
have
turned,
every one, to his own way.”
Isaiah 53:6
•
“For
all
have
sinned
and
fall
short
of
the
glory
of
God.”
Romans 3:23
•
“If
we
say
that
we
have
no
sin,
we
deceive
ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.”
1 John 1:8
Given
the
fact
all
of
us
are
unworthy
of
God’s
consideration
because
of
our
sins—you
may
begin
to
identify
some
of
your
positive
attributes,
your
intellectual
capabilities,
past
and
ongoing
successes,
and
“good
behavior”
as
reasons
why
you
would
choose
you.
But
in
truth,
these
thoughts
are
amiss.
For
there
is
nothing
we
can
do—based
upon
our
own
human
capabilities
and
efforts—that are pleasing to God.
•
“No
flesh
should
glory
in
His
presence.”
1
Corinthians
1:29
•
“The
wisdom
of
this
world
is
foolishness
with
God.”
1
Corinthians 3:19
•
“All
of
our
righteousnesses
are
like
filthy
rags.”
Isaiah
64:6
•
Jesus
revealed,
“Without
Me
you
can
do
nothing.”
John 15:5
So,
every
human
being
is
faced
with
a
conundrum.
Since
we
humans
are
unable
to
offer
anything
to
God
that
He
desires,
then
is
there
anything
within
us
that
is
desirable
to
God?
The
answer
resides
within
our
heart—for
God
does
not
look
at
us
as
we
look
at
others.
“The
Lord
does
not
see
as
man
sees;
for
man
looks
at
the
outward
appearance,
but
the
Lord
looks
at
the
heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
God
does
not
consider
our
sinful
words
and
behavior,
but
looks
deeply
into
the
inner
workings
and
intentions
of
our
heart.
The
creator
of
the
universe,
the
One
who
spoke
the
earth
into
existence,
and
the
One
who
formed
us
from
the
dust
of
the
ground—searches
hearts
and
tests
the
minds
of
His
human
creation
to
find
those
who
may
love and serve Him.
•
“I,
the
Lord,
search
the
heart,
I
test
the
mind.”
Jeremiah 17:10
•
“The
spirit
of
a
man
is
the
lamp
of
the
Lord,
searching
all the inner depths of his heart.”
Prov 20:27
•
“I
am
He
who
searches
the
minds
and
hearts.”
Revelation 2:23
The
heart
in
scripture
is
the
unseen
“inner
essence”
of
our
spiritual
soul
that
influences
who
we
are,
what
we
say,
and
what
we
do.
Jesus
declared,
“A
good
man
out
of
the
good
treasure
of
his
heart
brings
forth
good;
and
an
evil
man
out
of
the
evil
treasure
of
his
heart
brings
forth
evil.
For
out
of
the
abundance
of
the
heart
his
mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
God
searches
the
most
important
thing:
the
deep
desires
of
our
heart.
The
reason
why
God
looks
beyond
our
sinful
condition
is
because
He
has
the
desire
and
power
to
transform
us
from
spiritual
death
to
life.
“He
is
faithful
and
just
to
forgive
us
our
sins
and
to
cleanse
us
from
all
unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Why Does God Search Hearts And Minds?
While
there
may
be
many
reasons
why
God
searches
the
hearts
and
minds,
two
seem
to
be
paramount:
developing
eternal
relationships,
and
identifying
those
who
will
serve
Him
(as
a
conduit
of
His
love)
by
ministering to the needs of others.
Eternal
Relationships
—Because
of
God’s
love
for
us—He
initiated
the
means
to
establish
a
relationship
with
Him
by
giving
us
a
free
gift:
He
crucified
His
Son
as
an
atonement
for
our
sins.
“For
the
wages
of
sin
is
death,
but
the
gift
of
God
is
eternal
life
in
Christ
Jesus
our Lord.” Romans 6:23
God
so
loved
the
world
that
He
gave
us
His
Son—because
He
desires
our
love
in
return.
Jesus
summarized
the
underlying
message
of
the
entire
Bible
when
He
declared
the
first
and
great
commandment:
“Love
the
Lord
your
God
with
all
your
heart,
with
all
your
soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37
What’s
more,
we
are
incapable
of
comprehending
the
depth
and
breadth
of
God’s
love—which
He
will
continue
to
express
towards
us
throughout
eternity.
“Eye
has
not
seen,
nor
ear
heard,
nor
have
entered
into
the
heart
of
man
the
things
which
God
has
prepared
for
those
who
love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“Now
I
saw
a
new
heaven
and
a
new
earth,
for
the
first
heaven
and
the
first
earth
had
passed
away.
Also
there
was
no
more
sea.
Then
I,
John,
saw
the
holy
city,
New
Jerusalem,
coming
down
out
of
heaven
from
God,
prepared
as
a
bride
adorned
for
her
husband.
And
I
heard
a
loud
voice
from
heaven
saying,
‘Behold,
the
tabernacle
of
God
is
with
men,
and
He
will
dwell
with
them,
and
they
shall
be
His
people.
God
Himself
will
be
with
them
and
be
their
God.
And
God
will
wipe
away
every
tear
from
their
eyes;
there
shall
be
no
more
death,
nor
sorrow,
nor
crying.
There
shall
be
no
more
pain,
for
the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4
Willing
Servants
—God
communicated
to
the
world
through
His
Son—who
uplifted
and
declared
the
Father
and
His
truth
via
the
words
He
spoke,
His
miracles,
and
in
His
interactions
with
the
lost—as
both
a
servant
and
the only role model worthy of human reflection.
“Let
this
mind
be
in
you
which
was
also
in
Christ
Jesus,
who,
being
in
the
form
of
God,
did
not
consider
it
robbery
to
be
equal
with
God,
but
made
Himself
of
no
reputation,
taking
the
form
of
a
bondservant,
and
coming
in
the
likeness
of
men.
And
being
found
in
appearance
as
a
man,
He
humbled
Himself
and
became
obedient
to
the
point
of
death,
even
the
death
of
the
cross.”
Philippians
2:5-9
The
Holy
Spirit
equips
us—for
all
humans
are
all
“ill-
equipped”
to
spiritually
serve
Him
and
minister
to
others.
“And
He
Himself
gave
some
to
be
apostles,
some
prophets,
some
evangelists,
and
some
pastors
and
teachers,
for
the
equipping
of
the
saints
for
the
work
of
ministry,
for
the
edifying
of
the
body
of
Christ,
till
we
all
come
to
the
unity
of
the
faith
and
of
the
knowledge
of
the
Son
of
God,
to
a
perfect
man,
to
the
measure
of
the
stature
of
the
fullness
of
Christ;
that
we
should
no
longer
be
children,
tossed
to
and
fro
and
carried
about
with
every
wind
of
doctrine,
by
the
trickery
of
men,
in
the
cunning
craftiness
of
deceitful
plotting,
but,
speaking
the
truth
in
love,
may
grow
up
in
all
things
into
Him
who
is
the head—Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-15
What Does God Look For Within Our Hearts?
Jesus
taught
a
broad
spectrum
of
revelatory
truths
to
the
multitudes
during
His
Sermon
on
the
Mount
(Matthew
chapters
5
to
7).
He
began
His
discourse
(Matthew
5:3-
10)
by
listing
the
Beatitudes
(or
attributes
of
the
heart)
that
God
desires,
searches
for,
magnifies
within
us
(via
the Holy Spirit), and blesses.
These
words
of
Jesus
provides
us
with
wonderous
insight
into
the
nature
of
God.
But
in
addition,
these
words
enable
those
who
have
placed
their
faith
in
Him
as
their
Savior
and
Lord
to
discern
the
spiritual
transformation
that
is
occurring
within
themselves.
For
example,
take
time
to
read
and
think
deeply
about
each
beatitude.
As
you
read,
identify
one
or
more
attributes
of
your heart:
•
That existed prior to your salvation.
•
That began after your salvation.
God
searches
for
the
existence
of
one
or
more
of
the
attributes
of
the
heart—and
then
begins
the
process
of
sanctification
(to
cleanse
us
of
unrighteousness
and
prepare
us
for
eternity
with
Him).
For
example,
one
who
is
in
the
midst
of
this
process
will
pray,
“Search
me,
O
God,
and
know
my
heart;
try
me,
and
know
my
anxieties;
and
see
if
there
is
any
wicked
way
in
me,
and
lead
me
in
the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23
However,
Satan
uses
the
antithesis
of
the
Beatitudes
to
identify
those
whom
he
can
make
his
own.
For
example,
Satan
looks
for
those
who
are
not
poor
in
spirit;
those
who
do
not
express
grief
or
empathy
for
others;
those
who
are
not
meek;
those
who
do
not
care
about
the
righteousness
of
God;
those
who
are
not
merciful;
those
who
have
an
impure
heart;
those
who
sow
discord;
those
who
will
deny
Jesus
before
others;
and
those
who
may
be
used
to
propagate
spiritual
and
physical
death.
In
addition,
these
are
those
who
prefer
lies
over
truth,
have
a
hardened
heart,
and
are
driven
by
fulfilling
the
desires
of their flesh.
For
more
information,
read
“The
Beatitudes,
Indicators
and
Blessings
of
Spiritual
Transformation”
on
UniqueBibleStudies.com
.
He Makes Us His Own
“Therefore,
if
anyone
is
in
Christ,
he
is
a
new
creation;
old
things
have
passed
away;
behold,
all
things
have
become
new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Jeremiah
18
describes
the
transformation
that
occurs
as
the
workings
of
a
potter
that
shapes
and
forms
clay.
Isiah
also
references
this
analogous
truth,
“We
are
the
clay,
and
You
our
potter;
and
all
we
are
the
work of Your hand.” Isiah 64:8
The
“potter’s
tools”
used
by
the
Holy
spirit
to
shape
and
form
us
into
the
image
of
Jesus
includes
God’s
word;
God’s
grace;
God’s
forgiveness;
God’s
love;
life’s
temptations
and
trials;
interactions
with
other
Christians,
and God’s chastisement when we fall short.
Loving
parents
will
use
different
forms
of
punishment
when
their
children
misbehave—all
for
the
child’s
benefit.
God
does
the
same
with
us
when
we
fail.
Do
you
feel
bad
on
the
inside
(i.e.
guilt
and
shame)
when
you
fall
short?
Plus,
do
you
feel
“disconnected”
from
your
relationship
with
God?
For
these
consequential
“feelings”
are
for
our
benefit,
and
are
forms
of
punishment God uses when we misbehave.
•
“My
son,
do
not
despise
the
chastening
of
the
Lord,
nor
be
discouraged
when
you
are
rebuked
by
Him;
for
whom
the
Lord
loves
He
chastens,
and
scourges
every son whom He receives.”
Heb 12:6
•
“For
it
is
God
who
works
in
you
both
to
will
and
to
do
for His good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13
Give
God
glory,
honor,
and
praise—who
searched
our
hearts;
recognized
our
potential
to
love
and
serve
Him;
and
changed
us
from
darkness
into
light—for
we
are
chosen and blessed beyond measure.
“Giving
thanks
to
the
Father
who
has
qualified
us
to
be
partakers
of
the
inheritance
of
the
saints
in
the
light.
He
has
delivered
us
from
the
power
of
darkness
and
conveyed
us
into
the
kingdom
of
the
Son
of
His
love,
in
whom
we
have
redemption
through
His
blood,
the
forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14
“For
you
see
your
calling,
brethren,
that
not
many
wise
according
to
the
flesh,
not
many
mighty,
not
many
noble,
are
called.
But
God
has
chosen
the
foolish
things
of
the
world
to
put
to
shame
the
wise,
and
God
has
chosen
the
weak
things
of
the
world
to
put
to
shame
the
things
which
are
mighty;
and
the
base
things
of
the
world
and
the
things
which
are
despised
God
has
chosen,
and
the
things
which
are
not,
to
bring
to
nothing
the
things
that
are,
that
no
flesh
should
glory
in
His
presence.
But
of
Him
you
are
in
Christ
Jesus,
who
became
for
us
wisdom
from
God—and
righteousness
and
sanctification
and
redemption—that,
as
it
is
written,
‘He
who
glories,
let
him
glory in the Lord.’” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
“But
you
are
a
chosen
generation,
a
royal
priesthood,
a
holy
nation,
His
own
special
people,
that
you
may
proclaim
the
praises
of
Him
who
called
you
out
of
darkness
into
His
marvelous
light;
who
once
were
not
a
people
but
are
now
the
people
of
God,
who
had
not
obtained
mercy
but
now
have
obtained
mercy.”
1
Peter
2:9-10
All for His Glory,
Harold D. Thomas
Bible Study Thought-Provoking Questions
The
purpose
of
the
questions
is
to
facilitate
a
deeper
understanding
of
the
Bible,
this
Bible
study
topic,
and
ourselves.
The
questions
may
be
answered
by
each
reader,
or
used
by
a
Bible
study
group
leader,
or
church
pastor.
The
questions
should
be
answered
or
discussed
after
reading
“
You
did
not
choose
Me,
but
I
CHOOSE
YOU.”
In
addition,
the
questions
are
designed
to
enhance
learning
via
the
determination
of
personal
opinions
and/or
discovering
how
the
lesson
content
relates
to
our
personal
lives.
As
such,
no
answers
are
provided.
Questions
John
15:16
states
God
chose
us
instead
of
us
choosing
Him.
Can
you
identify
any
events
and/or
spiritual
influences
(that
occurred
prior
to
you
accepting
Jesus
as
your Savior) that directed your path towards Him?
Two
reasons
where
given
as
to
why
God
searches
the
hearts
and
minds:
relationship
and
servitude.
Are
both
interdependent and synergistic? Explain.
Based upon the Beatitudes…
•
Identify
at
least
3
attributes
of
the
heart
you
desire
in
a friend.
•
Which Beatitude do you consider the most important?
Isiah
64:8
compares
how
God
shapes
us
like
a
potter
shapes
clay.
The
lesson
identified
various
“potter’s
tools”
that
God
uses
to
transform
us
into
the
image
of
Jesus.
Can you identify a personal example?
Read
Colossians
1:12-14
(above
in
this
lesson).
Explain
God’s
actions
(each
bolded
word
below)
that
He
performs after we are chosen.
•
Qualified
us to be partakers.
•
Delivered
us from the power of darkness.
•
Conveyed
us into the kingdom.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (above in this lesson).
•
Why
are
not
many
wise
(according
to
human
wisdom), mighty, and noble called by God?
•
What
are
the
“obstacles
to
salvation”
for
those
who
think they are wise, are mighty, or who are noble?
•
Can you think of examples where God has chosen:
o
Foolish
things
of
the
world
to
put
shame
to
the
wise.
o
Weak
things
of
the
world
to
put
shame
to
the
things which are mighty.
o
The base and despised of the world.
•
How
does
“no
flesh
should
glory
in
His
presence”
influence:
o
Whom God chooses?
o
Our
process
of
sanctification
(preparation
for
eternity with Him).
o
Our
spiritual
realization
that
we
are
completely
dependent upon Him—for everything?
Did you learn anything new from this lesson? Explain.
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the questions by clicking on this button.
