Thursday, July 26, 2012

Heart Check

My Utmost For His Highest

Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20

‘Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.’ CHAMBERS

We should never underestimate the reality or strength of our fallen nature and what it is capable of.  I might think that I am a ‘good guy’.  Especially when compared to some other people.  But the potential and reality of sin is present in all of us.  The only ‘good’ thing in me is the Holy Spirit.  My fallen nature .. the natural man … will tell me that I am OK and that what I may think or say or do is not so bad.  But the Holy Spirit will convict me of my sin .. expose what is contrary to God … reveal the darkness and true nature of my heart.  If I compare myself to Jesus, I find that I am a man undone.  (Isaiah 6:5)

When Jesus said that what comes out of the mouth is given birth in the heart … He didn’t say .. except for Charley … he is different … what He said applies to everyone.  We don’t want to think about that … it doesn’t seem Christian … Paul wrote many words to the churches concerning the battle of the Spirit and the flesh.  Don’t allow yourself to be lulled into thinking that you are the exception … we must … we must … allow the Spirit to examine our hearts if we are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus.

Our purpose in this new life is to know Jesus and make Him known to the world. We don’t do that by trying to be good or trying to look good .. but by living by faith and in the power of the Spirit.  For this reason I … do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;’ (Colossians 1:9-11)

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

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