Proverbs 24:12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

We deal with people every day and I have considered how much easier it would be to deal with people if I knew what was in their heart. That aggressive salesman, is he being honest or deceitful? The man across the street looking at my daughter, is he smitten or a predator? The man buying a gun, is he sound of mind or suicidal?

How trustful or cautious we are is based upon training and experience. If we could know what is in the heart of people couldn’t we eliminate fear of others and their intensions? Wouldn’t life be easier to deal with?

As a Christian, if you are a Christian, knowing the heart of Saul of Tarsus and his intentions to find and kill Christians in Damacus, would you have killed him or saved him?

It seems that knowing what is on a man’s heart does not give you insight to what will change that heart. It will only cause you to react upon what you see. It is judgment without future knowledge and justice without mercy.

Our responsibility as Christians is not to see people for what they are nor what they could be. It is our responsibility to show them what we were and what we are, giving praise and glory to the one who changed our hearts.

Acts 16:30b Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Coming once again to the issue of questions and answers, here is the most important of all questions.

Acts 16:31b Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

If you will allow me to editorialize here for a moment, this is the only must do that is associated with salvation. If anyone were to try and tell you otherwise then their doctrine consists of grace plus and is not supported by truth.

Yes, there are religions that stress what you must do but those must do issues have nothing to do with salvation. Those must do issues are laid at your feet as a challenge. “If you are going to be one of us, this is what you must do.” At this point fellowship is cut off from the body of Christ which is free to believe grace by faith alone. Their salvation is not at risk simply because they accuse you of failing to adhere to those doctrines. Fellowship however is cut off, not because of your decision but rather their own choice.

I cannot and will not attempt to judge their salvation. That is not my right. They may well claim that right for themselves but God is our judge, not man. I would not deny them fellowship even though they deny me access to worship with them. I would not deny them communion even though the might deny me communion with their assembly.

My last point is this.

Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Mary hanging of every word of Jesus is called needful, necessary, essential, or important but is not identified as a must do. Martha working and complaining in the kitchen is just as saved as Mary. What Mary had that can never be taken away is the blessed time she spent in deep relationship with her savior.

While it is a blessing, it is still not a must do in relationship to eternal salvation.