April 27 2025

Sunday April 27

Luke 16:14-18 – “But God Knows Your Hearts”

14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 16 The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. 18 Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

As I was studying this passage I couldn’t help but recall a statement one of my Bible college professors made over 50 years ago at Lynchburg Baptist College (Now Liberty University). He said, “A man’s morality will dictate his theology.” The Pharisees of Jesus day had a head knowledge of the Old Testament Law better than anyone else. They could quote most of it from memory. But the truth is, they were not practicing it and to justify their love for money, and even their immorality, they listened to the teachers that interpreted the law to fit their lifestyle and ungodly living and attitudes.

That is why they hated Jesus! The religious and lost world still does the same thing today. They attack Christianity and especially true believers who follow Jesus with pure hearts and right motives. The lost world that loves their money and immoral living come up with their own theology and interpretations of the Scriptures to justify their guilty consciences. Read the Book of Romans!

In this passage, Jesus confronts the Pharisees, who were sneering at His teaching about money and stewardship. Their love for wealth blinded them to God’s truth, and they mocked Jesus, revealing the condition of their hearts. Jesus’ response cuts to the core. While the Pharisees sought to justify themselves before others, God saw their true motives. What the world values about wealth, status, and outward appearances, often stands in stark contrast to what God esteems. This is a sobering reminder for us. Are we chasing what the world applauds, or are we pursuing what pleases God?

Jesus then shifts to the Law and the Prophets, which pointed to the coming of God’s kingdom. With John the Baptist, a new era began, the King was here, the kingdom of God was being preached, and people were eagerly pressing into it. This wasn’t just for the religious elite; it was for everyone, tax collectors, sinners, and ordinary people hungry for God’s grace.

The Pharisees, however, stood on the sidelines, clinging to their self-righteousness and missing the invitation to enter God’s kingdom. Jesus affirms that the Law remains unshakable, fulfilled in Him, and its moral standards endure for all time. Even His mention of divorce underscores God’s unchanging call to holiness, challenging the lax attitudes of the day.

This passage challenges us to examine our hearts. Like the Pharisees, we can be tempted to prioritize wealth, approval, or comfort over God’s kingdom. But Jesus calls us to press into His kingdom with urgency and commitment, aligning our lives with His eternal truth. God sees beyond our outward actions to the motives of our hearts. Are we living for His glory, or are we seeking to justify ourselves before others?

Our challenge today is to take time to reflect on what you value most. Ask yourself: Is there an area of my life where I’m chasing the world’s approval instead of God’s? Spend a few minutes each day in prayer, asking God to reveal any hidden motives or misplaced priorities. Then, take one practical step to “press into” His kingdom, whether it’s serving someone in need, giving generously, or standing firm in a biblical conviction, even if it’s unpopular. Let’s remember that God knows our hearts and commit to living for what God esteems, not what the world exalts.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your truth that challenges and transforms us. Forgive us for the times we’ve valued what the world esteems over Your kingdom. Help us to press into Your kingdom with wholehearted devotion, living for Your glory alone. Guide us this week to align our hearts with Yours. In Your name, Amen.

God bless!