A Small Portion of the Beauty of the Butterfly is Transferred to Anyone who Touches its Wings.
Grace and Peace
Photo by A.E. Thornton
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
The charge before each of us today is to faithfully, keep our hearts with all diligence! The unspoken implication is that any honest person knows that at any time, our affections will go astray.
For out of our hearts are the issues of life ” Rightly so, many of us when we hear the word heart, think of the physical organ that carries the blood from the heart through the whole body, and to the utmost extremities.
As long as the heart is capable of receiving and propelling the blood, life is continued. Now as the heart is the fountain where all the streams of life proceed, care must be taken that the fountain is not stopped up nor injured. A double watch for its safety must be kept up.
I am reminded of this passage of Scripture: For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. Lev.17:11
- Blood and life are used interchangeably in the Scriptures.
- Because blood is the principle of life, God has ordained it to be offered upon the altar as expiation [the act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing] for our life.
- As the blood of the victim is identical with its life and represents the soul of the animal/or individual [namely Jesus of Nazereth], God has appointed it as a substitute for the sinner’s life. Thus the life of the sacrifice atones for the life of the offered.
So in spiritual things of the Kingdom of God: the heart is the seat of the Lord of life and glory, and the streams of spiritual life proceed from Him to all the powers and faculties of the soul.
Watch with all diligence, that this fountain is not sealed up, nor these streams of life are cut off. Matthew 15:18-19 “but evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, lying, and slander.
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord and who trusts in the Lord. For they will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in the year of drought nor cease to yield fruit. Jeremiah 17:8
John 4:13, whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give will become in that soul a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
By offering this water, our Lord means Himself, His life-giving Word of the Kingdom, along with all of the promising of the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost. These and other blessings will precede from Jesus Christ our fountain, dwelling in a believing heart.
There is no eternal life without the Spirit; no Spirit without Christ; and no Christ to give the Spirit without dwelling in the heart.
What is at stake like never before is the need for one of the greatest spiritual reformations of humanity’s heart. Each heart that is unwilling to yield completely to this heavenly regeneration will continue to being enslaved to one’s outlook, choices, and behaviors that are in effect by living a life-denying God, Christ, every aspect of His Kingdom.
The miracle of spiritual renovation is the impartation of heavenly spirituality which comes from our faithful union with Christ. We are yoked with Christ as His disciple throughout our lives on earth as we manifest the very character of Christ. This is the promised New Life!
The beauty of this exchanged life is now Christ lives within my life by replacing me as the center of my life. In time, we who are determined to permit God’s rule will mature by trusting in the Lord with this new heart, and not leaning on one’s human understanding. Godly wisdom strongly advises that in all of one’s ways, acknowledge God and He will make your way straight.
In this blessed miracle of spiritual renewal, it is encouraged to avoid pride and self-will. It is better to fear the Lord and avoid all evil. The earthly benefits of walking straight with God will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8
Grace and Peace
Brother Alonzo
The above content for today’s blog post is taken from the “Walking in the Messiah Discipleship Teaching Series.” This is a portion of lesson one in a group study of the book, Renovation of the Heart, by Dallas Willard.
If you would like the entire lesson one, please communicate your interest via email: alonzoe1@yahoo.com. In the subject section, write notes from class one. Also, feel free to leave a comment. Grace and Peace