Q: Does God not only know everything we’ve ever done, but even everything we’ve ever thought? I hope not, because I’d really be embarrassed if anyone (including God) knew what goes on in my mind sometimes. — T.M.
A: God knows absolutely everything about us, not only what we do, but also what we think. The Psalmist said, “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar” (Psalm 139:2).
This is a sobering thought, because it reminds us that we can never hide from God. We can hide our actions from other people (at least to some extent); at times we can even hide them from ourselves (if, for example, we’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol). We also can hide our thoughts from others, and even deceive them about our thoughts by deliberately lying. But we cannot hide from God, and we cannot deceive him. The Bible says, “Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).
Does this alarm you? In one way it should, because it clearly tells us that we are all guilty before God. It should remind us also that no matter how good we try to be, we'll never be good enough to go to heaven on our own. God is absolutely pure, and even one sin — just one — would be enough to keep you out of heaven.
But in another way this is good news, because it tells us that in spite of our sin, God still loves us! The proof is that he sent his Son into the world to give his life for us. Don’t carry your burden of sin any longer, but by faith turn to Jesus Christ and give your burden to him.
Write to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201 or go to BillyGraham.org.
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