Stewardship Of My Heart

What is your most important stewardship?

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” 1 Peter 3:15

According to Chuck Missler, our teacher for this course on 1 & 2 Peter, “my heart is my most important stewardship.”  I think I have to agree with him. How I take care of my heart will affect everything else in my life. 

What I allow to be in my heart affects everything else I do and say, whether good or bad.   What I allow my eyes to see and my ears to hear affects my heart.  What I allow myself to think upon affects my heart. (Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.)

Here are some scriptures that speak to this subject:

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Matthew 12:33-37³³Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. ³⁴O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. ³⁵A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. ³⁶But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. ³⁷For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (In Matthew Henry’s commentary on these verses, he says, “the heart is the treasury, the words are the things brought out of that treasury and from hence men's characters may be drawn, and may be judged of” Our heart and our words are connected. If my heart is focused on Him, my words will be also)

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.

Proverbs 11:22 They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the LORD: but [such as are] upright in [their] way [are] his delight.

Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart [is] the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.

Partakers of the Glory

How do you become a “partaker” of “the glory to be revealed” (1 Pet 5:1) and spiritually “grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ”? (2 Pet 3:18)

When I think of glory I think of the fullness and purity of all that God is. In Exodus 33:18, Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” God’s response was that he would let his goodness pass by and proclaim his name. (Ex.. 33:19) The account of that actually happening is in Exodus 34:5-7. I believe this was God revealing a small amount of His glory because Moses would have been destroyed if the fullness of it had passed by.

On the Mount of Transfiguration the three disciples got a glimpse of the glory of God that was revealed from within Jesus Christ. On Mt. of Transfiguration Jesus was allowed let that glory that was within Him, cloaked in human flesh, be seen when He stood there before His disciples. (Mt. 17:1-2)

Both Paul and Peter speak in their epistles about the glory of God. They seem to indicate that as we spiritually “grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18) we will be partakers of more and more of His glory.

As we gaze upon the Lord within His written Word and as we meditate upon Him, we can be changed to become more like Him, if we allow the Word and His character to be worked into our lives. As a result we will reflect the same glory that is in Him.

2 Cor. 3:18 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.

Another way in which the glory of God is worked into our lives is through suffering. If we respond appropriately to suffering we will be changed more into the likeness of our Lord by it.

2 Cor. 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.

1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

On this earth we don’t see the His glory within Christians. Some people do have a glow about them and the character of Christ is manifested in how they live their lives. But the fullness of the glory of God within will be manifested later. Just like when Jesus walked the earth, the glory within Him was not revealed except on the Mt. of Transfiguration. But when we are clothed in our glorified bodies, the glory will be revealed. I believe that is probably what Peter is referring when when he speaks of becoming "partaker of the glory that shall be revealed" (1 Peter 5:1).

Praying for Those in Authority

I would like to follow up on yesterdays post.....

I do believe in civil disobedience, i.e. not obeying government leaders that are in opposition to the Word of God.  But that does not negate our responsiblity to pray for that leadership.  We still need to obey the Word of God to pray for those in authority.

1 Timothy 2:1-2  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

When the leadership is evil that is all the more reason to pray more diligently for those leaders. It is even a reason to bless them. 

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you

Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

In the USA at this time the government seems to becoming more and more opposed to Christianity.  Being a Christian is becoming more and more politically incorrect.  As Christians I believe we need to be even more diligent than ever in praying for our leaders and for our nation.  I also believe it is a time to be making a determination in our hearts that we are going to stand for the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what the cost. 

I believe we are headed into  a time in this country when we as Christians are going to have to make some tough choices and we are going to have to band together like never before.  The body of Christ is going to have to truly become the body of Christ.  Not only do we need to pray for those in authority, but we need to pray for one another, that we may boldly stand for Truth.

Responding to Evil Leadership

As Christians what should our response be to evil leaders?

God has put governmental authorities in place to be His representatives in the earth to maintain order and deal with evil deeds.  But when the leader is the one performing the evil deeds and requiring his subjects to perform deeds contrary to the Word of God, then that evil authority should not be obeyed. 

Romans 13:1 tells us to "be subject to higher powers."  In verse 3 of Romans 13 it says that the rulers are a terror to evil.  When they are no longer a terror to evil and are evil themselves I believe we must stand against that evil. 

When man’s requirements are contrary to God's Word, we must obey God rather than man, (Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.)

Recently I have been studying the life and writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  He was a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany.  He was one of the few church leaders/pastors who took a stand against Hitler and the evil Nazi policies from the very beginning. Eventually, at the request of his brother-in-law and after much agony over the decision, Dietrich joined the resistance movement within the government who were trying to do what they could to get Hitler out of power.  They hoped to stop the evil that was being perpetrated upon the German people, those being conquered, and especially upon the Jews.  Bonhoeffer spent the last couple of years of his life in prison and was hung just weeks before WWII came to an end, for his participation in the resistance.  This is an example of a Christian who felt he could not submit to the evil requirements of an evil leadership.  I personally applaud his actions within the church.  But I am still wrestling with the idea of his involvement in actively trying to take down the government. 

Romans 13:1-7  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Here is a link to a pretty good article about this by Chuck Baldwin, a pastor, radio broadcaster, and syndicated columnist.  http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com/c2007/cbarchive_20070810.html

Discussion Question Posts

I have been taking some Bible courses through an online Bible Institute.  One of the things we have to do each week is respond to two discussion questions.  So I am going to be taking some of my answers to some of those questions and making them into blog posts.  In fact "Kingdom Perspective" was one such post.  I may or may not indicate whether the blog post is from the courses.  But if the post starts with a question, it most likely came from one of my courses.

I would be glad to have a dialog with you concerning my posts either through your comments or by email.  My email address for this blog is in my profile.

Kingdom Perspective

What is kingdom perspective?  Does behavior matter?

Sometimes I like to get a clearer definition of something before I address it.  So I looked up the words “kingdom” and “perspective” in the Webster’s dictionary.

The definition I liked best for kingdom is:  “the realm in which God’s will is fulfilled”.  The first two definition were 1) kingship 2) a politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen

The definitions for Perspective 1) archaic “an optical glass” (as a telescope) 2) a: the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed also: point of view b: the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance

We need to live our Christian lives looking down through the telescope of time, looking forward to the time that the fullness of Jesus’ kingdom is established in the earth.  We need to look forward to the time when Jesus will truly be king on the earth.  Right now he can be king in our individual lives and His kingdom authority can be exercised through our lives where each one of us lives.  But there is coming a day when He will rule the whole earth.  At that time there will be those who rule and reign with Him.  I believe who rules and reigns and in what capacity are determined by how we live our lives now.  Therefore behavior matters.

2 Timothy 2:12 ¹²If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: ¹³If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Rev. 5:9-10 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; ¹⁰And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

 Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

I believe that is what certain of the parables are speaking of, the fact that how we live our lives here and what we do with the giftings God has given us will make a difference in the kingdom to come.  Some examples:  Matthew 24:44-51; Luke 12: 42-48; Matt. 25:1-30;  Luke 19:12-27

To me every Christian should live their lives with a Kingdom perspective. Jesus Christ preached the gospel of the kingdom of God. (Mark 1:14-15)  He spoke much about the kingdom.  Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”  (Matt. 24:13)  Jesus also admonished us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33) So it behooves us to live our lives every day with the kingdom of God in mind.

Preaching Repentance As An Act of Love

Preaching repentance does not seem to be popular.  It may make some people uncomfortable. Although preaching the need for repentance may be unpopular today, it is very scriptural.

-John the Baptist preached repentance in preparation for the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Matt. 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.)

-Jesus preached repentance.  (Matt. 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. )

-On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached repentance.  (Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.)

-Jesus preached repentance again in the book of Revelation, in the letter to the Laodiceans.  (Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.)

It is at this verse I want to stop and say more.  In this letter to the Laodiceans, Jesus is saying that it is because He loves them that He rebukes and chastens in order to bring to repentance.  Our God is always motivated by love, because He is love.  For some reason we seem to get the idea that confronting someone with their sin in order to see them repent is unkind or unloving.  Now it can be done in a very unkind and unloving way. But done appropriately under the leading of the Holy Spirit is truly an act of love.

The Bible says to speak the truth in love. (Eph. 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ)  This speaking the truth in love is for the purpose that we may grow, so that we may mature as the body of Christ. Also in Proverbs 27:6 we are told "Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful."  Sometimes the truth hurts.  So does surgery to take out a cancerous tumor.  But that surgery can be the very thing that saves your life and leads to health. 

So we see from these scriptures that preaching repentance and confronting sin is a very loving act that can lead to health and growth.

He Exists

Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Above all we must believe that "He is." We must believe that God exists. Over the past century there has been an incredible attack on the fact that God exists. Many declare there is no God. Others say God is dead. Some say that God is whoever or whatever you want Him to be. All these are lies of the enemy who desires to be God and to take God's place.

If there is no God, there is no creator who has every right to our allegiance. If there is no God there is no one to whom we must give account for our lives. If there is no God there are no moral absolutes. As a result of this every man does what is right in his own eyes. This always leads to disastrous results.

Believing that God exists is the beginning point of true faith.

(You may want to look at my blog post for July 6, 2009 "The Uncreated Creator")

He Is A Rewarder

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb. 11:6

When Jesus returns to the earth every person who has believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and will be rewarded based on how he/she has lived his/her life.

I think too many people are coasting along on the fact that they have made a profession of faith and believe that is all that is required of them. Far too few understand that the profession of faith in Jesus Christ is just the first step, the foundation upon which your life is then built.

1 Cor. 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Matt. 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Diligently Seek Him

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

This verse is a familiar verse, especially the first phrase...we must have faith in order to please God. Recently the second part of the verse really registered in my mind as I read it. When we come to God we must believe that He exists AND that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Salvation starts with believing that God exists and that Jesus died for our sins. (Romans 10:9-10) But beyond that there is also the need to seek Him. As we seek Him we can know that He will reward us accordingly. I believe that our eternal reward is important to keep in mind as we serve God. Hebrews 11 goes on to talk about those who pressed on to that thing which God had promised them, that reward that would be theirs. Not that we serve God for the purpose of getting something. We already received more than we could ever imagine by being saved from hell and death and being delivered from our sins.