True Heart of Faith

Hebrews 10:19-25

"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."

When Christ offered Himself for us, He tore away the veil that separated us from God so that we may now enter boldly into His presence without fear. No longer must we rely on another to pray for us and offer sacrifices for our sins, for by Christ's shed blood and the forgiveness of God, our sins have been washed away, and we are free to go directly to God in prayer because He sees us as pure and righteous. Never must we worry whether our salvation is secure, for Christ's sacrifice covers all of our past, present, and future sins. If we ask for God's forgiveness and repent of our past ways, He is faithful and just to forgive us, and He promises that He will never let us go - "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:28. Let us, therefore, live with confidence because not only is our salvation secure in God's hands, but we may also come to Him daily for guidance and strength.

Walk in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-18

"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

If we live according to God's Word and remain sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, then we will not fall into the sins of the flesh. However, we cannot simply empty ourselves of our former sins and expect to succeed. Instead, we must replace our former sinful thoughts and actions by meditating on the pure Word of God and living to glorify Him in faithful service. If we desire to live righteously before God and become more like Christ, then we must make a daily effort to put away our own sinful nature and follow after the purity of God. Therefore, think on His word and be renewed daily, seek to become more like Christ in obedience and selflessness, go often to God in prayer and be refreshed by His love and forgiveness, and serve God in everything you do with all joy, thanks, love, and godliness. By our faithful service and our continued spiritual growth, our life will be full and complete by God's grace. Although we will never reach perfection on this earth, we can take hold of the promise that when we are brought before God in Heaven, He will glorify us so that our sinful nature will be no more. What better way to praise and glorify God than by giving Him the entirety of our lives and letting Him use us for His perfect will!

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

No Law

Galatians 5:22,23

 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

If a Christian incorporates all of the fruits of the Spirit into his life for the purpose of glorifying God, then there is no law which can condemn him. He has already claimed the righteousness of Christ in salvation, so he is accepted before God. He puts the needs of family, friends, and coworkers before his own, so no one can accuse him of selfishness or hate. Finally, he commits no crime against another because of the testimony that he wishes to live out for the sake of Christ.

These virtues encompass who Christ is and what He wishes for His people. He desires that love, purity, and goodness would unify His people into a pure and harmonious church so that they will be able to serve Him to the utmost of their personal and group abilities. For as a Christian matures, these fruits, which are the characteristics of Christ, become more evident as he is renewed daily by the Word of God and transformed into the image of Christ. Ultimately all of these virtues can be boiled down to one commandment - Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" God's glory must always come first, then your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, then those whom you must reach for Christ, and then yourself as you realize that your purpose on earth is for God's glory and not your own.

1 Peter 4:11

"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."