God Values Intentions Over Beliefs

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This morning, I reflect on a truth that sits deep in the heart of New Church theology: it’s not the perfection of our beliefs that God holds most dear, but the intentions of our hearts. We see this powerfully in the story of Abraham and Isaac, where the Lord gently redirects Abraham from a literal sacrifice to a deeper truth. God does not ask us to kill our humanity, represented by Isaac, but to let go of rigid, tangled beliefs like the ram caught in the thicket. Intentions – those quiet, daily impulses toward kindness, connection, service – are what carry the weight of eternity. As Swedenborg writes, “The essence of worship is a life of kindness” (True Christianity §510). When I sit with people at the end of their lives, I never fail to find those intentions shining through, even if covered over. Beliefs help guide us, yes, but they are not the final measure. Today, I invite you to ask one simple, transformative question: What is my best intention today? Let that guide your steps.