God knows our heart

Romans 2:8-11

9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
11 For God shows no partiality. – Romans 2:8-11

God shows no favouritism, He shows no respect to the outward appearance but judges the inward merit of a person. So if we are self-seeking we may appear kind and altruistic but God knows our heart:

would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart. – Psalm 44:21

Obedience will be a sign of how set our heart is on God. When people made excuses to the Lord about why they wanted to delay following Him, Jesus challenged them to put the kingdom of God first.

61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”
62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:61-62

On one level it may seem unreasonable but the Lord knows the person’s heart, and God shows people what is in their hearts. The disciples revealed what was in their heart when Jesus called them, they immediately followed Him:

10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”
11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. – Luke 5:10-11

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. – Mark 2:14

God knows our hearts and is looking for a child like response of faith and trust. He does not want us to rely on our rational mind but to receive the word of God with thanksgiving.

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. – Philippians 4:6

When we follow our own way it usually ends in tribulation and distress. But, when we honour God in all that we do it God shows us a different way to live. We experience the peace and joy of God which is far beyond our human understanding:

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7