Jesus Christ * The Word of God and The Heart of Man

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1 "The words of the Lord are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever." (Psalm 12: 6 & 7) Graefenburg Road Lawrenceburg, KY August 3, 2011 Jesus Christ * The Word of God and The Heart of Man Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called ----The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19: 11-16) It is an early July morning here in central Kentucky, where I awoke before dawn. As I arose, I heard in my spirit, the same two questions that had followed me to bed. These two questions were so profound, they have gained my full attention. These questions that I will attempt to share with you in this letter, may very well be the most important questions that a professing believer will ever face. With that 1

2 said, I urge you to soberly and prayerfully consider what you are about to read. When it comes to Christianity and man s practice of it, the single most important factor is the heart of man. All other Christian activity including (but not limited to), church attendance, charitable giving, praise and worship, prayer, community outreach and mission trips ---all---pale in comparison to what takes place in the heart. In fact, if the above mentioned activity is not birthed in the heart, it is nothing more than vanity, and of no value in man s relationship with God. Christ made this abundantly clear, when He said: These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, (Matthew 15:8 & 9) In 1 Samuel, chapter sixteen, verse seven, it is written: The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Clearly, the issues pertaining to man s relationship with God and Life eternal, are decided in the heart of man; not in his mind----not in his mouth---not with his hands and feet---and certainly not by his association with, or membership in, a group of professing believers. Failure to inform professing believers of this spiritual truth is, in my opinion, the single greatest tragedy to befall the church, in these latter days. The man whose heart is not right before God, is the man who is yet to be soundly converted; and failure to warn him of the danger that he is in, is in itself, an act of betrayal and unbelief (Ezekiel 33:8). Scripture seems to indicate that both are in danger of being thrust out of the Kingdom of God (Luke 13: 22-28). I cannot imagine a greater horror than traveling all the way through life, believing I was a Christian who would be eternally joined to Christ in His Kingdom, only to find out in the end that my heart had never been soundly converted. What a horror to learn that I had never been taught the Truth ---- the whole Truth. What a horror to learn that all of my years spent in man s church were for naught, and it was too late to do anything about it! Be warned dear reader, scripture makes it abundantly clear that this will be the experience of all but a few of those who profess to believe in Christ (Matthew 22: 14). I beg you to listen to our God, and take heed to His warnings. Count all who contradict His word as liars, who, unless they repent for having done so, will receive their just reward in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged. (Romans 3: 4) Whether or not man spends eternity with Christ, or is separated from Him, will depend upon his Spiritual re-birth. His Spiritual re-birth will depend upon his heart s attitude toward the Person of Jesus Christ, and his heart s attitude toward The Word of God. Christ and the Word are One. You cannot have one without the Other. The two questions that I alluded to at the beginning of this letter, when honestly answered before God, will confirm the true state of man s heart, his soul; whether he or she be saved or unsaved. Again, I urge you to think long and prayerfully on these questions. I counsel you to give your answer first to God Himself, and then to man. Remember, it is from the heart and not the mind, that your answer must be given. 2

3 And now, the first question: The second question, is like the first: What will you do with Jesus Christ? What will you do with God s Book His word? Dear reader, your answer, from the heart, to these two questions alone, will determine what you think and speak most about. Your answer will also determine your lifestyle and the friends you surround yourself with. Your answer will also determine when you come to the end of your days, whether you spend eternity in heaven or in hell. All of the issues of life hang in the balance of only two questions: What will you do with Jesus Christ, and What will you do with the Book of God His word? Please give me a few more minutes of your time as we look into the depths of these two straight forward questions. What will you do with Jesus Christ? He says that He is God, and that He pre-existed before the foundation of the earth (John 8:58 * Luke 22: 69 & 70 * Daniel 7: 13 & 14). Christ says that He alone, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14: 6). He declared that the first and greatest commandment was to love Him with all of your heart, your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22: 36 & 37). He further declared that the only way that you could prove that you loved Him was to believe Him and obey Him (John 14: 21 24). Jesus Christ, Himself stated that He would reject many professing believers in Himself, and choose only a few to be with Him in heaven (Matthew 7: 22 & 23 * Matthew 22: 13 & 14 * Luke 13: 22 28). He also stated that He desired to be one with His own (John 14: 20 & 23). Dear reader, I ask you again: What will you do with this Jesus? What will you do with Him, in your heart? What will you do with Him, of whom it is written: By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (Colossians 1: 16 & 2: 9) Again the question: What will you do with Jesus Christ? In the very depths of your heart, where no other person may go except Christ, what will you do with Him there? Is He a welcome Guest there, or an inconvenient Guest? Is He the Guest of honor or merely a casual acquaintance? When you think of Him, do you think of Him as the Lord of your life, whose every word you receive as Truth? In your heart, is He your King and ultimate Authority in all matters of life, including your involvement in the practice of your religion? Is He? Are you ever ashamed of Him, or of His word, when you find yourself with family or friends? Are you? 3

4 When it comes to the love of your heart, where does Christ fit in? Is He your first love ---your greatest love? In the depth of your heart, do you have a greater love for your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, your church, your religion, or your ministry of good works, than you do for Christ? Does He have all of your heart, or are you attempting to share your heart with Him? In light of these searching questions, I ask once again: What will you do with Jesus Christ? While we are considering two questions, the second being, What will you do with the Word of God? I would suggest that your answer to the first question is the same answer to the second question. Please allow me to explain. If my answer to the first question is in total agreement with Jesus Christ as it relates to all that He said, and to who He claimed to be, then my answer to the second question, What will you do with the Book of God --- His Word?, will also be in total agreement with all that His book says; and with what It says of Itself. Likewise, if I am faced with having to answer the second question (relating to God s word) first, then my answer would also be the same for the question concerning Christ. In truth, both Christ and the Word of God are One. You cannot have One without the Other. Christ confirms the Word and the Word confirms Christ! If man did not have the Word of God, man would not have Christ. Today, many claim Christ as their Savior, while at the same time setting aside either all or parts of God s word. In Truth, their claim of Christ and His benefits are in vain. At least that is what Christ and the Word of God claim, and I for one believe them. How about you, dear reader? To the wicked God says: What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? (Psalm 50: 16 & 17) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6: 7 & 8) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe. (John 6: 63 & 64a) As it was when Christ spoke those words in the flesh, so it is today. There are some of you who do not believe. How about you, dear reader, do you believe Jesus Christ? Do you believe the Word of God -- -all of His word? Are you numbered among the few who do believe Him ---or ---among the many who do not? As I close this letter, I leave you with a word of warning; and a word of encouragement. First, the word of warning. God s word is either True, or It is false, It cannot be both. It either means what It says, or It does not. Jesus Christ is either who He says He is, or He is not. What each of us chooses to believe by faith, concerning Christ and His word will determine our final destination. Most of us within the ranks of modern-day Christianity have been taught half truths and outright lies when compared to Father s word. We have been programmed with darkness that appeared to be light (2 Corinthians 11: 13 15). 4

5 Christ Himself warned us about the dangers of deception in these latter days (Matthew 24: 4, 5, 11, 24). He also said: If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6: 23b) Sadly, most of us are being held captive by a form of religion, which is designed to control, manipulate and dominate us; denying us our Spiritual freedom in Christ, where Truth becomes our Life. I warn you, all things are not as they appear to be. The falling away (Thessalonians 2: 3 * 1 Timothy 4: 1) is now far advanced and we are in spiritual free-fall. May God have mercy. Finally, a word of encouragement. Saving faith does not require perfect performance in relation to Father s Word. It does not require that you be an authority on God s Word, fully understanding all doctrine. Not at all. However, saving faith does require a child like attitude of heart toward Christ and His Word; simply believing, because He said so. Anything less than a child s heart places one in imminent danger, regardless of what he or she may believe, or how good they appear to be. One scholar stated:... Faith is simpler than it seems. It is a choice rather than ability. Many of God s promises are so astounding that we are not able to comprehend them, let alone fully believe them. But we can always choose to believe, or to commit to His word, regardless of the magnitude of the challenge. Dear reader, there are few messages that you will ever read or hear that carry more importance than this one. I pray that my feeble attempt to share what has been placed in my heart will none the less be heard by those whose hearts are being drawn to Truth. Your brother, All rights reserved Thomas One of these days some simple soul will pick up the Book of God, read It, and believe It. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed. (Leonard Ravenhill) 1907 AD 1994 AD 5 "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:5 & 6)

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