All too often,
I find myself in a dilemma. My heart just won't seem to buy in to the things I know are true. I know the truth, but my feelings don't support it. I know in my head the right things to do, but honestly don't have a desire to do them. Inevitably I begin to wonder "Am I missing something?" Maybe you've been there too. When I get there I tend to examine my motives, put more time into my "Good Christian things." But at the end of all my efforts, my heart still leans toward doubt, fear, and shame. The truth is, sometimes I'm just not feeling it.
Looking for answers,
I often turn to look at other people. People whose passion, love, and zeal for God seems unlimited and never ending. From biblical heroes, to the passionate Christians I know, to the people making tidal waves for God in the world today. But without fail, I find that every Christian I elevate to be some kind of hero, just makes me realize how widespread a problem this is. The man after God's own heart, David, questions in words more eloquent than mine:
Why are you down cast, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? (Psalm 42:5)
Seems to me like some days, the man after God's own heart was just not feeling it. And no matter whom I ask, there is not a man or woman I have met that can claim to always be content with their relationship with God.
It seems universally human,
this downward spiral of the heart and feelings. But the real question is how do feelings stack up to truth. As Jeremiah puts it:
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.
Who can understand it" (Jeremiah 17:9)
Maybe then, the heart and feelings are not the best barometer of what is actually going on. And if salvation is based on the condition of our heart, then no one is saved. Thankfully, it has a much better foundation.
"For by grace ye are saved through faith, not of yourselves.
It is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8)
So now what?
Last I checked, this side of heaven my heart will always be wicked. There will always be days when my passion for God is less than I would wish. There will be times my prayer seems like a weird conversation with myself, and God's word like a Chinese novel. But I don't want to let my heart deceive me anymore. I challenge us to remember what is true, that our salvation was never based on our strength, passion, righteousness, or dedication. Let's choose to rely on God's love for us, not our love for him. Together let's live in the grace he gave, hoping patiently for the day when our love, and our relationship with God, will be perfect. The day our hearts can't deceive us anymore. Until then, when we aren't feeling it, keep living it.
A Prayer:
God,
There are times when I'm not really feeling it. Times when I'm not really feeling you.
I know that I love you, and more importantly I know that you love me.
Help me to live by grace, and not be deceived into thinking my feelings can change the truth.
I choose to follow you even when my feelings aren't buying into it.
Give me strength, and transform my heart to love you more each day.
I can't wait til the day that you bring me home and my love for you is perfect.
Until then I hope and live for you.
In Jesus name,
Amen
A SURVEY OF THE HEART BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to man's relationship with God it is all about the heart condition. The question is, how is your heart?
Luke 8:15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
An honest and good heart is essential in order to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:17-18 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart.
Ignorance about God is due to a hard heart; it has nothing to do with a lack of intellectual ability.
Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
An unrepentant heart cannot produce a desirable result.
Luke 21:34 "Be on your guard, so that your heart will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;
Heart health is important in order to be ready for the return of Christ.
Acts 1:24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen
You can fool men into believing your heart is functioning properly, however, the Lord knows your heart. Jesus can help with heart surgery, it is up to you.
Romans 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Dishonoring God results in a foolish and darkened heart. This is not a heart condition anyone should seek.
THE APOSTLE PETER PERFORMED HEART SURGERY!
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to the three thousand on the Day of Pentecost. That was the heart biopsy. (Acts 2:22-36)
THE HEART TRANSPLANT
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
A NEW HEART REQUIRES PROPER MAINTENANCE
Hebrews 3:12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.
A Christian's heart must remain faithful till the end.
IT IS ALL ABOUT YOUR "HEART CONDITION."
(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)
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