Ezekiel 11:17, 19-21 foretells of Israel and Judah receiving from God a new heart—a spiritual heart that will enable them to keep His commandments and statutes. Throughout its history, the essential difficulty in Israel's relationship with God has been one of the heart. God exclaims, "Oh, that they [Israel] had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!" (Deuteronomy 5:29).
In Hebrews 3:10, God again identifies this problem: "Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways'" .
The heart or spirit of a man is the center of his thought, reason, and motivation. Because of human nature, the natural—unconverted—heart is "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9).
It has an innate, powerful pull toward the self, always making evaluations based on what it perceives as good for the individual regardless of the effect on others.
Humanity has had approximately 6,000 years of such self-centered and destructive living, proving that man is simply unable to govern himself for very long.
He needs direction and leadership from another—divine—source.
2 years ago
Aptly stated.
ReplyDeleteThis is why we need to be accountable to the leadership God puts over us in the church. They have been given the mandate to grow the church into maturity.
"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
(Hebrew 13:17)
Fortunately for us, God already knows what we are made of...dust. But He is in the business of transforming us. This is why we go through a period of sanctification. And, this is why we are to consider it all joy when we go through these purifying trials (James 1:2).
God's love for us is tough love.
"...whenever our hearts condemn us...God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." [1 John 3:20]
ReplyDeleteOn the night when Jesus was about to be arrested, his heart was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. He told his disciples to keep watch with him. He fell with his face to the ground and prayed,
ReplyDelete"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter,
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (Mathew 26:38-41)
This situation reveals to us by Jesus so that in the time of temptation we seek prayer support from our fellow brothers. Just as Jesus asks his disciples' prayer support so as we need support from our brothers.
As mortal being, sometimes we are cheated by our own heart. When there is peace and stability, we feel confident that we are strong mentally and spiritually. However, when there is calamity and disorder, we often forget God's help. We feel that we are alone and no one is able to help. That is why many people turn away from God or even destroy their own life.
As such, do not be cheated by your heart. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Seek prayer support from your fellow brothers and church leaders and God is ready and willing to help you if you trully seek his help.