Even If Your Heart Condemns You

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    - Luke 8:4-15 - Parable of the Sower, a Matter of the HeartThe seed of the word of God is given to all but not all have hearts that are good soil. Some are hostile, some are flaky, some are divided, but there's hope!
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    - Luke 15:1-10 - The Overwhelming, Never-Ending, Reckless Love of God
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    - Romans 9:1-12 - It's About God's Promise, Not Individual SalvationRomans 9, when studied properly, is a beautiful exegete of the Old Testament making known a mystery that prior to the Messiah was largely misunderstood.
    - Romans 9:13-18 - A Matter So Important God Saw To It PersonallyThe hatred of Esau, the hardening of Pharoah, not unloving as some claim but more importantly all part of God's election to make way for the Messiah.
    - Romans 9:19-23 - Man Plans His Way but the Lord Directs His StepsThe Potter's original intent wasn't to make vessels of wrath. This is a result of the clay spoiling. Therefore God remade them for a greater redemptive purpose.
    - Romans 9:24-33 - A Stumbling Stone to One Is Refuge for AnotherChrist offends those who pursue a right standing with God on their own because He accomplished what they cannot, and freely gives it to those not trying.
  - Romans Chapter 10 - Paul's How-To (and How-Not-To) On Being SavedAmazingly Profound Yet Incredibly Simple, Woven Throughout Scripture Yet Defined in One Verse, Offensive to Hard Workers and Good News for Freeloaders!
    - Romans 10:1-9 - The Easy Way or the Impossible Way, Your ChoiceMen not properly handling the Mosaic Law ignorantly seek to establish their own righteousness through it, blinded to the reality that they utterly fail to do so.
    - Romans 10:10-21 - Unbelief Isn't an Inability but a Deliberate RefusalIt's not an inability to believe, nor a lack of hearing the gospel that's the problem, but rather a deliberate refusal that's the issue.
  - Romans Chapter 11 - Israel Hardened So All May BenefitGod has NOT forsaken Israel but rather God is using those in their unbelief to bring about His greater redemptive plan for all..including Israel.
    - Romans 11:1-6 - Grace and Works Are Like Oil and Water, They Don't MixCan it be both Grace AND works? The Apostle Paul shows us that Mormon's, Jehovah Witnesses, Catholics, and all other's who pervert grace have it wrong.
    - Romans 11:7-24 - Profound Hardening of Israel for the Sake of GentilesIn one of the very few New Testament prophecies regarding Israel's future, Paul reveals God's mysterious redemptive plan benefiting both Jew and Gentile alike.
    - Romans 11:25-32 - Profound Mercy to Gentiles for the Sake of IsraelThe exclusion of Israel benefited the Gentiles, now the inclusion of Gentiles benefits Israel.
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  - 2 Corinthians Chapter 12
    - 2 Corinthians 12:1-13 - What Could Possibly Torment Paul?
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    - Galatians 1:1-5 - The Calm Before The StormA greeting with grace, the very area the Galatians were failing in.
    - Galatians 1:6-10 - The Most Severe Rebuke In All Of Paul's LettersPaul dives into the issue of legalism right away and doesn't let up for the entire epistle.
    - Galatians 1:11-24 Paul Defends His Ministry and AuthorityPaul appreciates their need to validate his apostleship in order to believe the message he's preaching.
  - Galatians Chapter 2
    - Galatians 2:1-10 The Council at JerusalemPaul recounts the events recorded in Acts 15 regarding these infiltrators who were following him, undermining him and perverting the gospel.
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    - Ephesians 1:1-14
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- Struggling With DoubtA thorough, in-depth book regarding the subject of doubt.
  - Chapter 1 - Introduction"I want to believe but I just can't."
    - Welcome!
    - Introduction
  - Chapter 2 - Understanding Doubt “Only God and certain madmen have no doubts!”
    - Universal Doubt
    - Doubt is Not Unbelief
  - Chapter 3 - Understanding FaithWhy are we saved through faith?
  - Chapter 4 - The Origins of DoubtA person's doubt can stem from one or more of these different categories.
  - Chapter 5 - Reprogramming“God will not give us more than HE can handle.”
  - Chapter 6 - Truth and Grace"Truth without grace only kills, grace without truth goes unnoticed, unappreciated, and therefore unaccepted."
    - Truth and Grace
  - Chapter 7 - Who We are in Christ"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are..." - 1 John 3:1a
    - Who We are in Christ
  - Chapter 8 - Securities in God"If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." - 2 Tim. 2:13
    - Can We Lose Our Salvation?
    - The Pillars of God's Faithfulness
  - Chapter 9 - Doubts Disarmed"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." - 1 Thess 5:24
    - Doubts Disarmed
- God's GloryFor His glory? Because of His glory?
  - What is God's glory?Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” - Exo 33:18
  - God is Not a Narcissistic Glory MongerEven the lillies of the field will testify to this truth.
  - For His Glory - The Best Gift!Because He is glorious God is for His glory, which simultaneously results in the best possible gift for us.
- What is Faith?How does it work? Where does it come from?
  - What is Faith? IntroductionWhy is it important?
  - Faith is Not a WorkFaith is not meritorious and therefore earns you nothing.
  - Faith is Not an Object to BeholdAssurance is not found in faith itself but rather its object.
  - Faith is Not a FeelingFaith rests on facts, feelings follow faith.
  - Faith is Not Lumped in With GraceGrace is the source, faith is the condition.
  - Faith Is Not Merely a Knowledge of God - Even the Demons BelieveIf knowledge of God saved then all would be saved. Don't be deceived. There is a crucial difference between believing that God is and believing in God.
  - What is Faith?Faith is trust, saving faith is trust in Christ.
  - Faith Is Receiving and It's Really Really EasySalvation couldn't be any easier, nor more of a guarantee!
  - Where Does Faith in Christ Come From?I'm curious, how did you come about to faith in Christ?
  - What are Some Reasons that Cause People to Not Have Faith in Christ?Hard hearts, riches of the world, the enemy, simply unwilling.
  - Why Did God Choose Salvation to be by Faith?Why faith and not some other means?
  - What About Those Who've Never Heard of Christ?Do they know? Are they saved?
- Struggling With CalvinismRightfully a tough pill to swallow.
  - Struggling With Calvinism IntroductionIncluding internal and external resources.
  - The Devastating Self-Defeating Pitfall of CalvinismGod's love isn't a secondary quality.
  - The Disturbing Conclusions of CalvinismDisturbing conclusions hidden within Calvinism.
  - Narcissism + Christianity = CalvinismCorrelation between narcissists and calvinists.
  - Does God Have Multiple Wills?Does God have a hidden agenda?
  - A Shadow Of A Doubt - Calvinistic Word GamesA twisting of words to mean something else.
  - Free Will vs PredestinationA growing collection of scripture related to this subject.
- Struggling With OCDAccompanied by strong feelings of doubt, fear, and anxiety.
- Struggling With LegalismThe Leaven of the Pharisees
  - Another Insufficient Attempt to Explain the Depth of God’s GraceIt’s Too Wonderful to Fully Explain but I Like Trying
  - “If You Love Me” Is Not a CommandLegalists Default to Seeing It as Such
  - Jesus Reacts to Having Just Finished Your RedemptionTake a look at His first post-resurrected message to His disciples
  - God Isn't Looking to Disqualify You Based on a TechnicalityLooming in many a deep-seated feeling that God will somehow disqualify them based on a technicality.
  - Those Under Grace Need Not Worry About Abusing ItSome, out of fear of abusing God's grace don't apply it at all. This is actually more detrimental.
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Even if, when you get done reading this and your heart condemns you still, praise Jesus, your heart doesn't get the final say.

We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; (1 John 3:19 - 21)

Though it's true that if our heart doesn't condemn us we can have confidence before the throne of God, but if our heart does condemn us it doesn't effect the faithfulness of Christ towards us. That is what is meant by God being greater than our hearts. If our heart does condemn us it can surely hinder and even halt our Christian walk. It doesn't change the fact we're saved, but it may make you doubt that you are, and with some convince them they are not.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38,39)

Read this again, "nor any other created thing". This includes you, and God means it!

In order for our heart to condemn us it has to be making a judgment call. The measurement used to judge varies from person to person, but the process is the same. The person measures where they think they should be, then measures where they think they're at. They then sees their shortcomings according to these self predetermined markers and feels guilty. These type of people are often prone to legalism. They are measuring their merits and determining their worth accordingly. If these same type of people meet or exceed their predetermined markers they are often haughty and think they are the only ones measuring up. Both groups usually struggle with pride and self-reliance.

We often set our own predetermined marker of where we should be at in our walk with God, but the fact is Christ has already set it for us when he said:

"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:48)

Can I ask, what is your first reaction when you read the above verse? Mine was discouragement and exhaustion. I had to bump up my marker from stop cussing and lusting and start reading my bible more to well, perfection. I was overwhelmed.

You know, I often think Christ gives us these demands for a couple reasons. One to show us what God's holiness demands on us. I believe this requirement to be perfect is very real and God will in no way compromise it, nor should He. The second thing we should see is that we can in no way obtain it, nobody can, at least not by any self method. Let me give you another example, the rich young ruler.

A ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. "You know the commandments, 'DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'" And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth." When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. (Luke 18:18-23)

How many times have you read this confused as to Jesus's response. Maybe even feeling that it was contradicting the rest of the theme of the bible where Jesus testifies only through Him can one reap eternal life.

Notice in this story the person that comes to Jesus is rich. He is well to do, and he is a ruler. He probably is a very respected person in his community. In fact when Jesus shared the commandments with him, look how quickly he replied "All these things I have kept from my youth." (Sounds like he was measuring himself as well). But now look! Jesus gives him a more correct measurement of himself, "One thing you still lack" he said to him. And I love the next part, you see, Jesus knowing the hearts of men knew what was in this man's heart and the next task He gives him is one the ruler in his own heart wasn't ready nor willing to do. "Sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor...and come follow Me."

I believe this rich young ruler had an honest desire to enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he was ready to earn his own way there. Jesus gave him a command that the rich young ruler wasn't strong enough in the flesh to carry out. Notice now his demeanor changes, "But when he had heard these things, he became very sad". This man had both riches and power, but now, possibly for the first time in his life he needed help. When the ruler parted from Jesus here in the story I wonder if he tried anyways. Donating money to the Leper research center, or stopping by the Pool of Siloam to buy some paraplegics new pillow top pallets. All the while knowing in the back of his mind he wasn't measuring up to what was required of him, his heart condemning him, and possibly, hopefully, for the first time feeling a need for a savior.

I've heard it said that the law is a guide of what were suppose to be doing. I disagree. In fact after following that assumption and using the law as my measurement, and constantly falling short, I am disgusted by the idea of the law being a guide. This method of thinking promotes the flesh to take action. I think Jackie Hudson in her book Doubt: a Road to Growth described the law best when she said that the law is like a thermometer. It points out something's wrong, that your sick, but it in no ways offers healing or a solution. The law simply points out your need for a savior, it is a tutor to point you to Jesus Christ.

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. (Gal. 3:24)

If this resonated with you, here are some articles I think you'll find encouraging:

God Isn't Looking to Disqualify You Based on a Technicality

You Can Teach the Brain but You Train the Heart

Stop Looking Inwardly to Determine if You're Saved

Don't Equate Your Success in the Flesh to Your Success in the Spirit

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Have some feedback, insight, questions, comments, prayer requests, etc? Maybe you just want to share what God is doing in your life (I love praise reports), or maybe you can relate to some of the things here and need an ear. I'd love to hear from you!

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