Serving God From the Heart 2

As we stated in our last post, serving God is rooted in the heart and evidenced by outward behavior that aligns with biblical principles. It begins in the unseen corridor of our being and then emanates outwardly to the world around us.

The heart is where we make decisions and choices. It harbors our values, hopes, dreams, or fears, and governs our everyday lives.

In scripture the word ‘heart’ is often used to speak about the core part of our being, comprising either our spirit, our soul, or both. Sometimes it speaks of spirit and soul as one cohesive unit. At other times they’re distinguished as separate entities providing a more exact look inside our triune being (spirit, soul, and body).

As always, let’s look at several scriptural passages to validate this truth.

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 

But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. Matthew 12:35 

AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' This is the first commandment. Mark 12:30 

Each of these passages speaks of the heart condition and clearly shows how God looks upon the heart, and not just the outward action.

So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us…. Acts 15:8 

“…in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.” Romans 2:16 

God will judge us, not simply by what we’ve done, but by our motivation in doing it. For those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation, they will be saved. Yet, their works will be judged based on the attitude of their heart. This is expounded in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

“…each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

The heart matters to God. That’s where our greatest battle must be won. A change of heart is what true repentance is all about. Unlike some heretical teachers are saying, we will never outgrow our need for repentance until we are glory with the Lord.

As long as we’re on this earth in these temporal bodies, we’ll have plenty of opportunity to grow in our understanding and knowledge of Him and His Word. As we do, we’ll continue to repent (change our way of thinking) and adjust.

Solomon summed it up well when he wrote:

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 

Keeping our hearts requires diligence. It requires transparency with God and others. It requires a heart passionate for the things of God’s Kingdom. It requires repentance. It requires being honest with ourselves and doing whatever it takes to maintain a healthy sensitivity and tenderness to the Lord, His Word, and Spirit.

For the word of God [Jesus] is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight [Jesus], but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13 [Emphasis added]

Finally, keeping our hearts will require prayer, study and meditation in the Word of God, and fellowship with other committed believers.

Until next time, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you.

James Brown

CST 05/05/2024