Christian Living

---

What is in our heart is the essence of Christianity. What kind of attitude do we have towards God? Will we take risks for Him? Would we gladly die for Him? Is Christ and His cause more important than anything? Have we a heart for God?

Some think dressing a certain way shows dedication. For women—long skirts (no minis), no loose, long hair, no jewellery. Obeying a particular church’s clothing rules and regulations doesn’t put us in God’s high esteem. It doesn’t reveal our heart.

We can be outwardly pious but rotten inside like the Sadducees and Pharisees. They observed their religious traditions yet it was all a show. Jesus had plenty to say to them!

Many a finely-appareled “priest” in robes has been exposed as a hypocrite. Sad, because the world is watching, and such hypocrisy gives people one more reason not to believe.

Some Christians look very impressive. They appear to have a heart for God. They pray the loudest and the most often, maybe have a huge Bible heavily highlighted. One such fooled everyone in a church this writer once belonged to. It turned out she was a practising lesbian who tried to seduce a young woman member of the church. None of us are perfect, but let’s not be hypocrites. We cannot pretend to be godly yet at the same time do what God forbids. What kind of heart do we have?

Most of us in the western world have never had to make the decisions of Christians elsewhere. In certain countries it takes heart, guts, to follow Jesus. Financial prosperity preaching means nothing to them. A simple “yes” to the question, “Are you a Christian?” means jail.

Such an answer can also be the prelude to a beating-up, grenade or bullet. Even if they survive, standing up for Jesus can mean being disowned by family members. The believers know the consequence but will not deny Christ. They have a heart for God.

How are we going to react in such a situation? We need to be ready if such times do come. Persecution is rare right now, but there may come a time when easy-living western democracies become dictatorships—when every Bible will be burned and every professing Christian jailed.

The Bible tells us supernatural events happened in the lives of those with a heart for God. He intervened at crunch time. Daniel unharmed in the lions’ den; David defeating Goliath; Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego tied up and put in the boiling-hot furnace but emerging unscathed.

Theirs was the kind of full-on Christianity we should aspire to, and the world will look on in awe when we have such a heart for God.

How is it achieved? The Apostle Paul said, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

Transformation and renewal comes by knowing God’s Word, listening to what God says, and doing it. Doing it with heart!

If we really have a heart for God, prison, even death, will hold no fears. Our final destination is a better place.

I'm not in Private Messenger. Contact me at [email protected]

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE