The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Matters of the Heart"
No one who stands before God in the day judgment will be able to say, "I did not see. I could not understand."
"The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness, because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:18-20).
"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9).
God and His truth shine as the brightest lights in all creation - "clearly seen." The problem with trust and submission to God is never primarily intellectual, but rather involves the indictment plainly stated by the Lord Jesus Christ:
"This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).
Matters of the heart rather than a faulty or unconvinced mind most hinder sinners from repentance and faith. Born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ also sometimes allow fleshly allowances to tempt us with rationalizations and excuses for not doing the will of God. Certainly, this does not suggest the mind does not play a vital role in both salvation and the Christian life. The Bible is the most rational of all documents, the only perfectly rational treatise that exists. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God… with all thy mind" (Matthew 22:37). We can never begin to understand it all, of course. However, we can comprehend enough to come to the Lord Jesus in salvation, and subsequently walk with Him in fellowship through the leading and enabling of the Holy Spirit. "The true light… lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9). This renders all excuses for unbelief null and void as it directs primary focus to the heart.
If we know unbelievers who say they cannot understand, we seek to offer cogent Biblical answers and explanations. However, we also remember the "deeds issue" declared by the Savior, namely, something(s) exists in the heart and life of the unrepentant they know will be addressed by God if they enter by faith into relationship with Him. The same principle holds true for the Christian. If we walk in darkness, lack of understanding never constitutes the primary cause, but rather accommodation of fleshly desire(s). Certainly, the mind matters much. The heart matters more, however, and we must exercise it in choosing to heed the counsel of Solomon…
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
(Proverbs 4:23)
Weekly Memory Verse
He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
(John 7:38)
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