One of the consistent lessons we continue to learn from the Bible from Genesis to Revelation is how much man wants to be outwardly religious but inwardly unchanged. We see it with the judges and kings of Israel, even David and Solomon. We see it with the Pharisees during Jesus' time. We see it in the church age like the Galatian church.

The consistent message of man is that he enjoys his systems. He enjoys a religion based on cause and effect. Sacrifice X and Y will happen. He enjoys his outcome based processes. Do these three things and then you'll be one of the chosen. He enjoys denying the need to change the internal man. Do all these things and surely you'll be one of the sheep of the flock.

But not everyone who calls Jesus "Lord, Lord", not everyone who offered sacrifice, and not everyone who praised themselves in telling God He was lucky to have them - were to be saved.

God uses and changes the genuine heart that seeks after Him. Not a heart made of stone, but a heart made of flesh. A heart that is inclined to God's Will and willing to be molded by the Potter.

Pastor Joh n Samuel Barnett encourages us to have a genuine heart that God can see.