There is something that is negatively amazing about the account of King Amaziah's life.

The bible says that he did what was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart. This remark got me thinking deeply about my life.

It sounds paradoxical that a man's actions were adjudged as right but not from a heart that is perfect. There was a disconnect between what he did and what was in his heart.

Goodnews translation says, "He did what was pleasing to the LORD, BUT DID IT RELUCTANTLY".

It still baffles me how God use non external parameters to assess and evaluate men. Truly, he is the God that sees the content and intent of man's heart that men cannot see.

1 Samuel 16:7(NLT) says, "... The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart”.

Let's liken Amaziah to a modern day believer who looks pious, devoted and uncompromising in his ways. Everyone sees a brother who loves God and has zeal for the work of the Lord yet God alone knows the state of his heart.

The reason some have a public reputation for acting right or talking right is because they find themselves among the brethren and wouldn't want to behave in a way that will make them odd. In the real sense, their heart is yearning for the exact opposite of their visible acts of righteousness.

A christian student may decide not to cheat in exams for fear of what people may say not because he has a conviction against examination malpractice.

It is a dangerous position for our hearts to be If our actions are directly opposite what we have in mind.

It is possible for a preacher to teach right but from a heart that wants to prove a point. One can even correct rightly but from a bitter heart towards the person who err. One can discipline rightly but from a heart full of hatred.

This is a dangerous posture of the  heart that can make God adjudge us as failure. True righteousness starts from the heart before it reflects in our actions.

When we do what pleases God but from an imperfect heart, heaven will still score us a big zero. How do you want to be scored?