Why Is It A Matter Of The Heart?
As we looked at Monday, it really is the heart of the matter. Our love, though an imperfect, broken hearted love for Jesus is just that—it is a heart that is seeking after Jesus, longing to learn of love. It is not so much about our frailties nor our strengths as it is the heart of the issue. We see that most clearly in I Corinthians 13 where love is the key. So it is here. God looks upon the heart of man. With all the “righteousness of the Pharisees” they did not truly love Jesus; nor could they see Him for who He really was. Again Jesus presses on, “Don’t let your heart be troubled. I am your peace, your hope and your joy.” They asked, How if you go away? Once more came the piercing words, “If a man love me?” But, instead of it being the perfect following of the law; truly, it is a matter of the heart.
“If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:23-27)
We have nothing to fear, nothing to be troubled. If we love Him, we will have the Holy Spirit indwelling us to guide our steps. Jesus and the Father will make their abode in us. No longer will we look for God in a tabernacle—we are His dwelling place. In Christ we have all that we need to grow in our faith. In Christ, we are the redeemed, blessed, chosen, beloved children of God. It is truly the heart of the matter.
The Holy Spirit is there to remind that we are His, to comfort us when we have failed and to be our guide all along this journey. “ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:15-17).
So my question is not do you follow after Jesus with a perfect love. The question is does the spirit fill your heart? Do you feel broken hearted when you realize that you have failed Him? Are you drawn ever closer to Him? Then, if so: “ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8).
And if so, we can be assured that God will finish the work He began in us. “18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). It may be through a dim glass that we see His Glory; but, we will one day behold Him face to face. The Holy Spirit was promised forever to dwell within us and if God has made His abode in our heart He will not leave.
The Song I chose for you today is He looked Beyond My Fault
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2015
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.