I have a heart condition. Not a physical one, at least not to my knowledge, but a spiritual one. As I think back over my life and see what is going on in society today, I believe many suffer from the same heart condition. Thankfully there is a cure and it is free to anyone that wants it.
Have you ever seen someone (family, friend, co-worker, classmate, neighbor, acquaintance, etc.) that declares themselves a Christian, but yet their actions, lifestyle, and/or social media postings have you shaking your head and thinking, “They call themselves a Christian?” For me, that someone is usually posting F-bombs or hate online, supporting abortion, rioting, or living in sin. Before the Holy Spirit cured my heart condition, I wonder how many people observed my actions and thought the same. I would guess it was many.
Since March, Melinda and I have had the joy of our daughter, Megan living with us. Sadly she will be headed back to school soon; we will miss her. 😠I will miss our conversations, some of which have been about someone as mentioned above. One conversation about someone went something like this…
M – I thought someone was a Christian.
E – Someone says they are, why do you ask?
M – Did you see what someone just posted on Facebook?
E – No, let me see. Wow, well someone may call themselves a Christian, but I am not sure that post reflects WWJD?
M – WWJD?
E – Sorry, WWJD, What Would Jesus Do? It was popular in the 90’s.
M – O, anyway, I think that someone may have a heart problem.
E – I think that is saying it mildly. I wish someone would not call themselves a Christian and post things like that. It makes me wonder does someone really know Jesus? Only God knows for sure, but I have doubts that someone can love Jesus and post so much hate. I think someone needs a Holy Spirit heart transplant.
M – I agree; all we can do is try to show them the love of Jesus, pray for them daily, and hope they open their heart to the Holy Spirit.
In 1 John 3:6, John says, “Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.” I never really understood this verse until I challenged GOD and he opened my eyes. I won’t repeat my testimony here as I have already shared it. I would just reiterate that I called myself a Christian for many years before my heart transplant. I thought I was Christian, but everything was about me, not GOD. I went to church, talked about being a Christian, but I was living a life of sin and hate. Unfortunately during that time, my actions may have encouraged someone to doubt Christianity; I am sorry to that someone. I thank GOD that through his son Jesus he gave us all a way to fix our heart condition.
Are you living in sin or just struggling with sin”?
17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want – Galatians 5:17. 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. – Galatians 5:19-21
Paul sums it nicely in Galatians. I believe it is why I struggle with sin daily. Prior to my submission to GOD and having the Holy Spirit help me with my heart condition, I lived in sin. I lied, I cussed, I would have preferred that protesters were killed where they stood. I spewed hate. Now anytime I sin, I feel the Spirits’ conviction, it literally hurts my heart. I do not agree with many of the protestors but I pray for them hoping they will find Jesus instead of hate and maybe a little history along the way.
I believe Jesus is the only answer to what troubles the world today.
If you are actively living in sin, calling yourself a Christian, and it does not bother you then you might want to consider 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.“
In Mathew 7, Jesus said two things that use to trouble me. Jesus talked about the narrow gate and how many would miss it. Jesus also said in that day he would say to them “I never knew you; depart from Me”. I used to fear that I would miss the gate and hear those words when I met Jesus. I no longer have that fear. If you are sinning and no longer experience remorse; if you are making excuses and justifying sin; if you are making plans to sin; if you are encouraging others to sin; if you are using Romans 6.1 as an excuse to sin, you may want to stop and ask yourself why do I call myself a Christian, do I really know GOD, do I have a heart condition?
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray for those that may not really know you. I pray that if they call themselves Christian, they open their heart and let the Holy Spirit guide them. Give them a heart transplant; take away the hate and replace it with love. Jesus, you tell us to “Love your neighbor as yourself”. I could not do that until my heart transplant. Thank you, LORD. I know that I am a sinner. Thank you for helping me to sin less each day. Help me with those times I still get angry. I lift up that someone to you that spews so much hate online, especially against the president. GOD, you know their heart. I pray for their salvation. I pray that someone will truly come to know you and experience a heart transplant. The thought of them going to hell weighs heavy on my heart. I pray for my family, my church, my city, my county, my country, but most importantly I pray for your return, Jesus. Jesus if this is just the beginning I hate to imagine what Revelation will be like for those left behind. I pray that if they read this they know there is still hope. They can come to you for a heart transplant and everlasting life.
Thank you LORD, In Jesus Name,
AMEN.
