Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Heb 4:13).1
I would find it quite daunting should I be told that someone could see my thoughts. While I hope there would be much that is commendable, I know there would be things I would be embarrassed for others to find out. We are often asked how we would like it if our whole lives were put on a big screen and all could view it. It is a question which, undoubtedly, would cause us all to tremble at the thought.
The Creatures
While the Christian gospel is exclusive in many of its truth claims, many core doctrines are also inclusive. The central claim of the gospel is that the death of the Lord Jesus at Calvary is the only way of salvation and that the reason for His coming into the world was to save sinners. That designation of “sinners” doesn’t apply to only a few, for Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned.” In Genesis 6:5 we read, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great … the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” In all the years since that statement was written, the human heart hasn’t changed. God’s creatures, once the crown of His creation, no longer bring Him pleasure.
The Character of God
While we may be able to turn a blind eye to misdemeanours or look through a favourable lens at the actions of loved ones, God’s character is such that He cannot. To be a God who is holy and righteous and just means that He always measures man’s actions against the absolute standard of His own perfection. Think back to the introduction, and the daunting prospect of a sinner seeing into my mind. What if I then tell you that the God of heaven can see into my mind and yours? Oftentimes, we read in the Gospel accounts that the Lord Jesus, who Himself is God, revealed the thoughts of the people. That means He knows everything – past, present and future. That means He knows what is going through your mind right now.
The Cross of Calvary
The Psalmist asked, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” (130:3). It is a reasonable question to ask if God is as holy as we say He is and knows all that we claim He knows. My life consistently fails to meet His standard and there is nowhere for me to hide. That means I can never be in heaven, and condemns me to be lost forever – or it would, if God had not made a way for all those sins to be dealt with at the cross of Calvary. The Lord Jesus has paid the price, once and for all, for my sins. According to the Lord Jesus Himself, “whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Joh 3:16). It is not that God’s standard slips or that He knows any less; it is that when He looks at me now, He sees me clothed, not in my own righteousness but in His.
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV.