Rules versus a new heart

13/11/06 Rules versus a new heart
Jesus always majored on heart issues. Man always majors on rules. Man is guided by external rules and regulations while Jesus came to give us a new heart and put a new spirit within it. This is the transformation that takes place. Yet despite this Christians continue to live by the law and not by grace. They continue the Pharisaic tradition despite having had the renewed experience of the Spirit. Why is this so? The heart that is not surrendered will always regress to rules. Rules are external and can be seen while the heart is internal and cannot be seen. This is why Jesus took the heart approach. Rules are there to keep evil at bay. Without rules the heart which is so deceitful will go haywire. However a heart that is pure and rests in the finished work of Christ will fulfil every law of God. God knows that the human heart is sinful and only desires to do evil. This is why he brought in a new way. Man can tame the heart by rule bound conformity but this will not suffice on the day of reckoning. Just as heart worship is what pleases the Lord so also it is heart obedience that is true worship. It is from the heart the issues of life are determined. Therefore whenever you are in disarray examine your heart and see if there is any wicked way. The heart can only be cleansed through the blood of Jesus. Many miss this and therefore live by the law and fail. Condemnation then keeps them a prisoner of guilt and a slave to sin. Jesus came to set man free from this cycle of guilt and condemnation through His eternal sacrifice. Man has access to this freedom through faith. Thank you Lord for this new way of redemption in you.