I am reading in 1 Chronicles right now and just finished the last chapter. David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:10ff reminded me of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where he raised the bar from simply doing to the intentions of the heart. Don’t just not commit adultery, don’t lust in your heart, either. Don’t just not murder, but don’t be angry with your brother, either.

Of course this wasn’t a new concept in the NT, it was supposed to have been like that all along, even under the Law, and the passage in Chronicles makes that clear. Starting in v.17 (emphasize mine):

17 Since I know, O my God, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You. 18 O Lord , the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers, preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart to You; 19 and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple, for which I have made provision.

Notice the focus on the heart, and deeds coming from it. Especially in v19, David asks God to give his son a perfect heart to keep God’s commandments, or in other words, in order that he would keep God’s commandments. Of course God judges our actions, but He also judges our intentions and thoughts.

If you’re not a Christian, how would you stand up to a test like that?