Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  Hebrews 4:13

I’ve often heard people say, “God knows our hearts,” to suggest that He knows we mean well even if we don’t do things perfectly right, as if this justifies us, but something about that doesn’t ring true.  It is true that He knows our hearts, but He also knows the hidden evil in them, not just our good intentions.

He said to the Pharisees, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”  Luke 16:15

I can’t truthfully claim that  my heart is different from the Pharisees, that it’s not really all that sinful and so I can stand before God on the basis of my good intentions.  I don’t think we should too quickly assume that God will smile indulgently on us.  Thankfully, it’s not God’s indulgence that we need, but instead, He has provided Jesus.  It’s not because I’m not sinful, it’s because Jesus isn’t, that I can stand before Him.  I am humbled before His holiness and pray to trust in His mercy.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:15-16