From: July 29, 2024
‘Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?’ (Proverbs 20:9 ESV).
Solomon’s rhetorical question assumes a negative response. The sinfulness of humanity was an accepted reality in his day. Yet, this wisdom has been thrown into question in modern times by the tenets of humanism. The philosophy of humanism stresses the idea that humans are born inherently good and so with sufficient resources and education all children will turn out well.
However, God’s Word teaches that humanity is inherently sinful. As the Word says, “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:23). This is a profound distinction. The real problem with humanity is not environmental factors, but the human heart. What is needed is heart change.
Yet, who can make their own “heart pure?” Who can “clean” their own heart of sin? No one. This is the first step towards getting help. Admitting that we are sinners. We must first accept this basic truth about ourselves, that we are sinful and powerless to do anything to change. We need rescue. We need Jesus.
We can come before the Lord as David did praying, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psa. 51:10). Only the Lord Jesus Christ can give us pure and clean hearts.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we confess our sins to You knowing that You are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank You not only for forgiving us through Jesus, but for also creating in us a new and pure heart for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 29, 2023
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:10 NLT).
In Romans 12, Paul described how those who have offered their bodies as a living sacrifice and have received a transformed mind that knows God’s will, should live with each other. In verse 10, Paul gave two marks of how people with this new heart and new mind are to live with each other in this new community of believers. The two marks are love and honor. These two marks might be considered as summary of how believers are to feel (“love”) and think (“honor”) towards one another. The members of this new community are to love each other with “genuine” or brotherly affection, as members of God’s family. They are to feel towards one another like a loving family. As they come together, they are to “delight in honoring each other,” esteeming each other as better than themselves.
This new community of members who love and honor each other is the body of Christ, which is the church. They feel and think towards each other as the Spirit within enables them. When the members of Christ’s body come together loving and honoring one another, every member is edified and built up. And outsiders are attracted to know more about Jesus. For as He said, “They will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Has your heart and mind been so transformed that you love and honor one another?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for saving us and adopting us into Your family. Now continue to work in our hearts and minds to sanctify and transform us, so that we love and honor one another as You have commanded. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 29, 2022
LEARN TO ENJOY THE COMPANY OF ORDINARY PEOPLE
Look for someone “ordinary,” or as in the KJV, someone of “low estate,” to sit with next Sunday at church. Stop avoiding those that you feel are beneath you or who make you feel uncomfortable by their lower social status or awkward demeanor.
And stop acting like a know-it-all. And if you notice that several important folk are looking to sit next to you, don’t be surprised. Perhaps they read today’s meditation too. 🙂
PRAYER: Father, help us to learn from our Lord Jesus who associated with “ordinary” people. Even those He called to follow Him as apostles were “ordinary” men. Give us the attitude of Christ as we live in unity and harmony with one another. May the world see the love of Jesus in our fellowship. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 29, 2016
Solomon’s rhetorical question assumes a negative response. The sinfulness of humanity was an accepted reality in his day. Yet, even this basic wisdom has been thrown into question in our modern time by the tenets of humanism. The philosophy of humanism stresses the idea that humans are born basically good and that their potential for goodness is based on environmental factors. According to their thinking, with sufficient resources and education, all children should turn out well. A generation of this thinking has proven the theory untrue, yet the philosophy remains. However, God’s Word teaches us that our sin problem is more about the human heart than our behavior or the environment in which we live. This is a profound distinction. The real problem with humanity is the human heart. What is needed is heart change. Yet, who can make their “heart pure?” No one. What we need is a Savior. One who would give us new and holy hearts for God. But in order to know this, we must first admit that we are sinners. We must first accept this basic truth about ourselves, that we are sinful and powerless to do anything to change. We need help. We need Jesus. We need Christ to give us new hearts.
From: July 29, 2015
Paul described the state of mind that the believer should maintain. In this verse, he focused on our thinking towards others. Be “same-minded,” but not “high-minded.” Be careful not to think of yourself more highly than others. Be willing to “associate” with those of humble status, instead of rushing to be with the popular and important. Stop being a know-it-all. One who has this state of mind, has been “transformed by the renewing of their mind,” so that they have the mind of Christ. What’s your state of mind today?
From: July 29, 2012
Look for someone “ordinary” to sit next to at church today. And if you notice that several are looking to sit next to you, perhaps they read today’s quote too.
From: July 29, 2011
Where’s the passion with which you began? Have you lost your first love? Fan into flames your spiritual zeal. Encourage yourself in the Lord. Don’t let serving others be a burdensome duty. Let it be your passionate worship!