The Heart of the Matter*

The Word of God is like a spiritual heart monitor. It reveals to us what is in our hearts, even the hidden things. Our hearts are at the center of our relationship with God, and dictate the words that we speak: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." (Ps. 19:14), and "My heart is inditing (Hebrew meaning - keep moving, gush) a good matter (dabar - word, commandment, utterance): I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer." (Ps. 45:1). In the Book of Acts, a man named Simon of Samaria, a former sorcerer, believed the Gospel, and was baptized with water in the faith. He witnessed many miracles at the hands of the apostle Philip. Peter and John came to Samaria from Jerusalem when they heard about the new believers. Simon then saw those apostles laying hands upon the new believers, and those believers then received the Holy Spirit. "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part not lot in this matter: for thy heart (Greek - Kardia) is not right in the sight of God." (Acts 8:18-21). Peter told Simon to repent of this wickedness, and Simon asked them to pray for him, that none of the consequences of which Peter spoke would come upon him (v. 23-24). As God looks into the hearts of men, it also has an effect upon Him. In Genesis 6, when God examined the hearts of men before He brought the judgment of the flood, scripture says: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart (leb - heart soul, mind, thinking, conscience, appetites, emotions, inner man) was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved (asab - hurt, pain, torture) him at his heart." (Gen. 6:5-6). The LORD was tortured by what He saw in the hearts of men. Christ was tortured also because of the evil of men's hearts. The prophet Jeremiah wrote that blessed are those who trust in the LORD. They would prosper and be kept, and remain fruitful even through trying circumstances (Jer. 17:7-8). He went on to say though: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins (kilya - kidneys, interior self), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." (v. 9-10). Proverbs tells us to receive the words of the LORD, and apply our hearts to understanding them (Prov. 2:1-2). Proverbs 3 says that if our hearts will keep the Word and commandments, if we will write the Word upon the tablet of our heart, it will impact our lives with long life, peace, mercy, truth, favor, good understanding. If we will trust in the LORD with all our hearts, rather than leaning on our own understanding, and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He shall direct our paths, and give health and marrow to the bones (v. 1-8). From this kind of heart, filled with His Word, we trust in Him, and we gain the wisdom and understanding to "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." (v. 9-10). Riches and honor, and paths of peace follow a heart filled with the wisdom and understanding of the LORD. Even more so, it is "a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her...". (v. 16-18). In contrast, Jesus told a parable and based a teaching upon those who give up the riches of the heart, which is the treasure found in the kingdom of God, for the riches of the world, and the cares that go with them. In Luke 12, the parable tells about a rich man who invests his time and attention into building newer and bigger barns to store his earthly wealth. Little does he know that he will not live through the night, and his soul will be required of him. The Lord called this rich man a fool. "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God." (Lk. 12:v.15-21). Jesus then taught that the example of God's love and provision for each of us can be found in obvious examples from nature around us. He famously asked, "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (v. 27-28). Instead of a heart full of worrying and grasping for fear of lack, Jesus said, "...seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you...Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourself bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (v. 31-34). This is the test of the heart: where is your treasure placed? Is it in the kingdom of God? If God tells you to give it, then give it. You cannot outgive God. There were those whom Jesus called hypocrites. They were the religious people of His day who used the traditions of men to ignore the commandments of God. They withheld financial support from their parents with the excuse that their money was already pledged to God. This was known as Corban. Their hearts were not right. Jesus said that this confirmed the prophet Isaiah who wrote, "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." (Mark 7:6-12). Jesus said that with this heart attitude, they made the word of God of none effect by following traditions instead. Jesus continued to teach that a man is not defiled by what is outside of him and enters into him, but he is defiled by what comes from inside him, from out of his heart (v. 18-20): "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile a man." (v. 21-23). It is "the heart of the matter" that determines a man's life. Jesus included in His Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are the pure (katharos - clean, purified by fire, free from every admixture of what is false) in heart: for they shall see God." (Mt. 5:8). As Jesus was questioned by a religious lawyer trying to test Him, He was asked which was the greatest commandment of the law. Jesus answered that it was the commandment dealing with the consecration of the heart: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Mt. 22:34-40). The Word of God identifies the heart of the matter, and measures the content of our hearts. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 11/14/21 message to the church. To contact us with a prayer request, praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.

Destroyed or Awakened?*

 

The prophet Hosea received the word of the LORD regarding the spiritual condition of His people, Israel:

"...the LORD hath a controversy (quarrel, contention, strife, dispute, case of law, a forensic cause) with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and committing adultery, they break out (to break away, burst out, breach, break up, break in pieces, violence), and blood toucheth (to strike, smite, reach onto) blood."  Hos. 4:1-2

Hosea could be describing the condition of our people and our land today in these verses: no truth, no mercy, no knowledge of God. The LORD tells the prophet that this woeful condition of the inhabitants also affects the land which they inhabit:

"Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth within shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away....Therefore, shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother." (v. 3, 5).

We are seeing the land in which we dwell violently try to vomit us out with great storms, winds, earthquakes, floods, because of the sinful condition of its inhabitants (Lev. 18:24-28). God gives the cause of the inhabitants' corrupt condition:

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame." (v.6-7).

The priests of God made gain over the people's sins, instead of ministering God's delivering Word of truth. This is also the condition of the Church today. Numbers and prosperity are more important than truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God. Sin is agreed with and condoned for the sake of "peace" and "relevance". The apostle Paul also warned about the spiritual consequences for those who wilfully ignore the truth, and reject the knowledge of God (Rom. 1:18-32). We are seeing those consequences in our land and people. Will we be destroyed or awakened? It depends upon how we receive the knowledge of God.

Jesus also gave the Word of truth to His own disciples who were self-satisfied with their spiritual condition as natural sons of Abraham, and therefore rejected the merciful Word of deliverance:

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant (slave, bondman, serving another with disregard to one's own interests, fasten with chains) of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the son abideth for ever. If the son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."   Jn. 8:31-36

Though these Jews who believed in Jesus thought they were connected to Abraham's righteousness because they were his descendants, Jesus told them that they were not like Abraham, whom they called "father", because they would not receive the One, the works, and the Word that God had sent, which was Himself, as Abraham would have done. Instead their father was the one who rejected the knowledge of God from the beginning: Satan, the father of lust, murder and lies (v. 37-47).

Jesus also warned that He and His Word would not bring peace but fire and division among men, even among households (Lk. 12:49-56). He remarked at His listeners' failure to receive the truth, and asked a question:

"Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?(v.56-57).

Is the Church discerning the time of His soon return? Are we judging ourselves according to what we know as right? Are we judging others wrongly instead?
Jesus encountered a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief publican, or tax collector, and he had become rich from his position because he was corrupt. He had run to see Jesus, and even climbed a tree to see above the press of people around Jesus, because he was a very short man, but he had to see Jesus. Jesus spotted him, and called him by name, "Zacchaeus (pure, innocent, bright, clean, shining, justified, purify or cleanse one's self), make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." (Lk. 19:5). Zacchaeus received Jesus with joy (v.6), and immediately reformed his life. Jesus said, "This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek (seek in order to find (out), require, demand something from someone)and to save that which is lost (to destroy, to put an end to, to declare that one must be put to death, to perish, be lost, ruined)."  (v. 9-10).
Though known by others as a corrupt publican, Zacchaeus discerned the time of the visitation of Jesus, and joyfully received the knowledge of God, and the Word of salvation. He "awakened" and was saved by the One who sought him by name. Zacchaeus changed his life, and WAS changed.
At the time of His visitation, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, as the prophets had foretold, His disciples rejoicing, and declaring His kingship (Lk. 19:28-44). However, as Jesus viewed the city of God, Jerusalem, which was to reject Him, it was for Him an occasion for weeping. Some of those who rejected the Knowledge of God come in the flesh, demanded that He rebuke His disciples. Jesus answered, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."  Because Jerusalem did not "know the things which belong unto thy peace", those things would now be hidden from it, and it would be destroyed by its enemies. He said, "...thou knowest not the time of thy visitation."
As Hosea told us at the beginning, not knowing, or refusing the knowledge of God, results in destruction:
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..."

 *The above is based upon the 7/14/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

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