There are two ways a believer can establish or strengthen his heart, either by grace or works. For a new Christian just recently saved, they have not naturally had the teachings that many of us have had after being saved for 15-20 years plus. So, we refer to these new Christians as baby Christians, still on milk. When they have walked in the Lord for some time, and received “with a humble spirit” the teachings of Christ, we say they are now on meat. Which refers to the special offerings which the priests ate. Hebrews 13:9. “For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. ” They had no right to eat that which was served in the tabernacle. The Jewish Christians who were the first recipients of the epistle understood the Hebraism of “meats” to refer to the ceremonial rituals, etc. of Levitical law.
Then it goes on to say that it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. Hebrews makes it clear that good works does not get you into Heaven; which may be as a “works mentality” , because God still requires good works, Ephesians 2:10 which result from His working THROUGH His people. Two things to notice about legalistic works or “dead” works in Hebrews 6:1, 9-14 are that works do not profit and works “occupy”. So when we are a work-a-holic or always have an excuse, “I don’t have time”, “I don’t feel like it now”. Is it dead works by self, and self-imposed or is it works by grace and the power of God? Do we let God lead us through His Holy Spirit and HIS work, or are we always still in the world doing our own thing in self? Are we serving? Or being served? We all have certain gifts and we all can be used in some way for our church.
Legalism is a futile effort. They have such misguided regulations which have never proven useful and place so much dependence on doing this “this” way or faultfinding, etc. that they derive no benefit. A works mentality does not promote true godliness. Martin Luther found that out too, as a Catholic monk scrubbing the abbey floors not receiving salvation. Being bound in legalism, it produces an unloving Christian, that becomes judgmental and harsh. It is mans attempts to be like God. It doesn’t work. It stops grace and mercy from manifesting and brings on a critical spirit. We can try, through our own law of works, self-efforts, or various exercises to fulfill through human ability the righteousness of God’s word in our lives. Maybe we start out in earnest, but our means of going about it are all wrong.
We’ve all sooner or later too, been around Christians that are always complaining and have a critical spirit. There is no balance. If we all have certain gifts, which I believe we do, then we should know when to absorb the good and spit out the bad. We should learn discernment and have it in our lives in all things. If there are new Christians that are not yet that deep in the Lord, and prayer then they cannot be expected to receive as we do. Sometimes you really get it! One day it will click and the message will be understood. That is like a lightbulb going on..a real breakthrough.
When I was new in Christ, I wanted it all fast! Doesn’t work that way and is a long process as our emotional development lets God work IN us and through us, And if by grace, then it is no more of works; otherwise works is no more works. Romans 11-16. If we mix grace and works it is a like comparison to water and oil, then through law, whereby, Christ died at the Cross needlessly and in vain. If right living comes by SELF, then He lives needlessly inside you and you give credit to your OWN righteousness. We begin our Christian walk by grace and HIS mercy that loved us, and it should continue on in our walk through God and the Holy Spirit in our lives in LOVE. Why can’t we learn to be humble and receive HIS love and grace, to then let go of that love and give in return. That’s what its about. The love we receive is nothing unless we give it away.
Grace strengthens us. Although the law was holy, coming from God, it was weak through human nature and our sinfulness. Romans 8:3. Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me all who are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. ” Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your soul. All our struggles in the natural.. For what? Self? For I can do nothing on my own in the natural including saving my own son from suicide in spite of all I did. God had a divine plan and sometimes it may no be what we want or expect either.
We live now in a violent, sick, vile society. Not just the media, and all the shootings, but the psychic sick books and video games as well. Whereby, James 1:14 says, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.” This is why Jesus in overcoming temptation to avoid the Cross, prayed, “Not my will but THINE will be done” Luke 22:42. For he told the disciples a short while earlier to “pray, that ye enter not into temptation. Matthew 26:41.
In other words, just because you are a Christian and accepted Jesus as your Savior don’t think that everything will be perfect and you cannot get enticed into temptation. I Corinthians 6:13 says, “Now the body is not for lust but for the Lord”. Our bodies to be the “temple of God”.
SALVATION
Something always spoke to me, Something always loved me, Something needed me…so Much I didn’t know.
Somehow He spoke His love, Somehow He drew me in, Someone who doubted so. How He loved, I didn’t know, I didn’t know.
God, you gave it all to me, Your love, your heart for man, Your very destiny, God, I need and love you so.
Something, I had arise in me, Something salvations pull on me, Something, I’ll always thank you for, No matter what, I’ll love you so.
J. Worthen 1/2000
When we choose to surrender our will completely before God, and give up self and let the Holy Spirit guide us we are giving God humility. This is what He wants for God loves a humble spirit. If we hang onto self, it won’t work because of our sin nature from Adam and the imperfection of human will power. Proverbs 16:18-19 “Pride goes before the fall. God loves a humble spirit.”
We can’t love with Gods agape love by ourselves. We can’t be perfectly patient by ourselves. But with Jesus Christ within us we can! He is ready, willing and able. But, he will only take over the controls to the degree that we let him. I’ve done it in he natural, I’ve been around that mountain over and over. No thank you, as the price is too high and so is the chastisement. I wanted to grow in God in HIS timetable, HIS way, as I am ready in my development in HIS word. If we understand just that? He will do the rest. He wants us to have an “I’ll never give up attitude!” That’s what will glorify those we meet and witness to. Humility and a total absence of self.
Sometimes God holds back because our prayers involve another person. Maybe OUR plans and prayers are different than God’s. Maybe our prayers could have irreparable harm for another if we had our way, or they just aren’t ready. We don’t know Gods reasoning. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever He does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3. For only He knows the future. In this long life, with painful splits, and deaths, I got nothing I ever asked for, but, everything I needed, including healing and love. He and He alone holds all the keys. Thank you Lord for all you have done for me.
Restoration Road 2003
MY HOPE FOR AMERICA UNDER GOD - "Hope is patience with the lamp lit." Tertulian "For we are saved by hope."Romans 8:24 I Shall not keep silent! 