Gospel Reflections #884: It's the character behind the actions.

1 Samuel 2:29 "Why do you honor your sons above me by taking the best portions from all the offerings made by my people Israel to enrich yourselves?"

Because the priest Eli failed to properly discipline his sons, they became beyond redemption.

Though the house of the priest had been promised to walk before God continually, this promise was not guaranteed regardless of the conduct of his descendants.

God's promises to us require our response. We bear responsibility for God's promises.

Even if our actions are imperfect and insufficient, God sees what we focus on and where we are headed.

God does not honor empty promises; He honors those who honor Him, and those who despise Him will be despised.

What God sees is not merely our actions, but our character.

And that character shapes our actions.

God works within us, perfecting us outwardly as well.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.