The Integrity of thy Heart


The just shall live by faith¹
: And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.; (Genesis 18:17-19); And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.; (Genesis 20:1-7)

Here, a truth that is often glossed over in our minds, is that God's work is always for His Glory. Always for the purpose that souls shall be snatched from Satan's clutches and become obedient to Him, the Creator.

A further truth that is not often perceived, but the evidence of which is studded throughout the Bible is that God will use others of His creation for His divine purpose.

Firstly, we see that Almighty God must be who He says He is because He can do all of this and has done so.

Secondly, that various people and other created beings were and shall be used or consumed at will.
Think on these: Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Ruth, Ester, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Saul of Tarsus.
These: Sacrificial lambs, goats, cattle.
And these: Abimelech, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezar.
And even these: Pharisees, Saducees, Pilate, Caesar, Babylon the Great (world church), antichrist, false prophets.
Don't forget these: Michael the archangel, Gabriel, your personal angel, all the angelic host.
Nor these: Satan, his demons the fallen angels.

But most of all: Lord Jesus Christ.

The above passages of Scripture were written about a man who lived by faith. He moved from Ur of the Chaldees to Haran, then to Canaan, then to Egypt then back to Canaan, all by faith and obedience in the Living God, who often spoke to him. Abraham believed, even though his sin nature became evident at times.

The commandments and promises of the Old Covenant, whom Abraham's descendants, the nation of the Children of Israel turned into a series of rituals and traditions because of unbelief, has the same truth as its foundation, and because God is unchanging, the New Covenant has this changeless foundation, but on a personal level.

The just shall live by faith and then the mustard seed can grow because it is nurtured (Luke 17:5).

Obedience to the commandments results in promises that shall be fulfilled.

Only if we serve God as He desires us so to do (with a joyful heart) will He bless each of us, now and in the future; this is why some people experience His providence in their day to day lives and others don't.
For example, if you have a disagreement or even an argument with your marriage partner, there may be a time of "no speaks" to show one's disapproval of the other's action or opinion.

What does our God in heaven say and do?: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.; (John 14:21); Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.; (John 14:23-26)

This insertion only came after hearing a teaching on vanity (foolishness, nothingness) presented by a man anointed of God, and at the same time another truth was revealed that fits in to this writing.
The primary passage of Scripture that was used is:: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.; (Matthew 7:21-27)

We can see that it fits in with the message of this writing not so?

However, we notice that even those who practice the gifts of the Spirit such as prophecy, as described in 1 Corinthians chapter twelve are not exempt from this condemnation.
From a previous writing² on this web site³ it was stated that pagan worshippers also speak in tongues and use other spiritual powers as well.
This message is for those who use spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues but are willingly disobedient to the wishes of the Master. Is He indeed your or my Master? What is the true relationship?

By our hearts are we known to God, and by our fruits by men.: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.; (Matthew 7:13-20)

Be certain that God knows each of our hearts:

So, if you are not born again, the Lord God may manifest Himself to you a time or two to give you the opportunity of submitting yourself (your heart) to Him.

If I am reborn of the Spirit of God and obedient to my Lord due to the conviction of my heart, He, Jesus Christ has promised that He shall manifest Himself to me. This then surely means that if these Spiritual manifestations cease it is a sign that I am in danger of quenching His doings in my life and losing my salvation.

Please read Genesis chapter twenty four for an example of God's ongoing manifestations.
Reread verses 26 to 27, 48 and 52.
We see here a very important and often overlooked fact: the Lord God deserves, and should get the praise and glory at all times. We are merely the conduit through whom they flow. When they happen in private we will praise and thank Him in private and if in the presence of others, then they should hear also.
Who knows, when we do so, those that hear may be so convicted that heaven will gain another soul.

Halleluljah!

Here's an example and another reason:: Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.; (2 Corinthians 9:10-15)

Lest we forget:: Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.; (Romans 11:20-21); Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.; (1 Corinthians 10:12)

¹ From Faith to Faith
² Baptism of the Holy Spirit
³ www.hosanna.org.za