Hebrews 4:13

DISCOURSE: 2285
GOD SEES OUR INMOST THOUGHTS

Hebrews 4:13. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

MEN will commit those things in secret, which they would not commit, if they knew that the eye of a fellow-creature was upon them. But, if they duly considered the omniscience of God, they would be as watchful over their conduct in their most hidden recesses, as they now are in the noon-day. Yea, they would impose a far greater restraint on their inmost thoughts, than they now do on their outward actions. To fortify the Hebrews against apostasy, the Apostle endeavoured to impress upon their minds the thought that every motion of their hearts was strictly noticed by God.
From his words we shall consider,

I. The omniscience of God—

“There is not any thing in the whole creation which is not manifest in his sight.” At one glance he beholds,

1. All things—

[All that is past, however long since, or however forgotten by us, is as fresh in his memory, as if it had been transacted this very moment [Note: Isaiah 41:22.]. All present things, in whatever quarter of the globe, and however hidden from mortal eyes, are visible to him [Note: Job 28:24.] — — — All future events, whomsoever they concern, even the eternal states of all that ever shall be born, are known by him with as much certainty as if they were already accomplished [Note: Isaiah 46:9; Acts 15:8.] — — —]

2. All men—

[The actions of men are not only noticed by him, but weighed in a most perfect balance [Note: 1 Samuel 2:3.Job 31:4.] — — — Their words are all distinctly heard by him, and recorded before him [Note: Psalms 139:4; 2 Kings 6:12.]. Their very thoughts, how secret or transient soever they be, are also marked, and written by him in the book of his remembrance [Note: Ezekiel 11:5.Genesis 6:5.] — — — The priests, when inspecting the sacrifices that had been flayed and cut asunder, did not so infallibly discern any blemish that might be found, either on their external part or in their inwards, as God discerns “every imagination of the thoughts of our hearts [Note: Γυμνὰ καὶ τετραχηλισμένα. This may be further illustrated by Psalms 11:4. “his eye-lids try,” &c.]” — — —]

That we may not give our assent to this truth without being suitably affected with it, let us consider,

II.

The concern we have in it—

The words of the text include a double interpretation—
We shall include both senses by observing,

1. “We have to do with God” in every transaction of our lives—

[The law of God extends to the whole of our conduct: every action therefore, with every word and thought, is an act of obedience to him or of disobedience: there is not a possibility of detaching ourselves from him for an instant, so as to assert our independence in the least respect. Our minds should be constantly full of love to him; and our every purpose and desire should have respect to his glory [Note: 1 Corinthians 10:31.]. How deeply then are we interested in approving ourselves to him! If we had merely to do with our fellow-creatures, it might suffice to have our actions right, even though there were some defect in our motives and principles; but when we have to do with the heart-searching God, we should be careful that every motion of our hearts be agreeable to his mind and will.]

2. We must “give an account to God [Note: Πρὸς ὄν ἡμῖν ὁ λόγος.]” of all that we do—

[Every thing we do is noticed by God, in order that it may be recompensed at the day of judgment [Note: Jeremiah 17:10.]. The book of his remembrance will assuredly be opened in that day [Note: Revelation 20:12.]; and every action, word, and thought, during our whole lives, will have an influence on his decision. However trivial any thing may be in our eyes, or even imperceptible by us, it will enhance our happiness or misery to all eternity: how anxious then should we be to walk as in God’s sight! and how should we labour daily to lay up an increasing weight of glory, instead of “treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:17. with Romans 2:5.]!”

We may improve this subject,

1. For the awakening of the careless—

[You may think, like those of old, that God does not see or regard your ways [Note: Psalms 94:7.]; but, if Achan was detected and punished by God’s immediate interference in this world [Note: Joshua 7:14; Joshua 7:18; Joshua 7:25.], how much more shall you be in the day of righteous retribution!]

2. For the encouragement of the sincere—

[If God notices the defects of his people, he both makes allowance for them, and observes also their excellencies [Note: Comp. Psalms 103:14. with Revelation 2:9.]: nor have they so much as a good desire, which he does not mark with special approbation [Note: Psalms 38:9. Malachi 3:16. 1 Kings 14:13.]. Let all then stir up their hearts to seek and serve him [Note: 1 Chronicles 28:9.]: so, notwithstanding their defects, they shall receive his plaudit in the day of judgment [Note: 1 Corinthians 4:5.]