M’makhalidwe abwino achisanu ndi chimodzi, kapena amene kaŵirikaŵiri amatchedwa “makhalidwe okoma” ondandalikidwa m’chaputala chachisanu cha Uthenga Wabwino wa Mateyu, Yesu anati: “Odala ali oyera mtima, pakuti adzaona Mulungu.” Kodi ndi mfundo yotani yomwe Ambuye wathu akufuna kutifotokozera akamalankhula za chiyero cha mtima? Zingakhale zothandiza kwambiri kuyamba ndi kufunsa funso lofunika kwambiri - kodi tanthauzo lenileni la "mtima" wa m'Baibulo ndi chiyani?

N’zoonekeratu kuti zambiri zimene timamvetsa masiku ano zokhudza ubongo wa munthu ndi mmene ubongo umagwirira ntchito, zimene Baibulo limanena zokhudza mtima wa munthu. M’pofunika kwambiri kuzindikira kuti Baibulo silinalembedwe kuti likhale buku la sayansi. Baibulo ndi vumbulutso la Mulungu kwa anthu la chimene Iye ali, ndi chimene chiri cholinga chake chamuyaya mwa Khristu Yesu ( Aefeso 3:10-11 ). Komabe, ngakhale kuti Baibulo silimalongosola mfundo za sayansi, zimene Baibulo limafotokoza ponena za mfundo zimenezi n’zolondola kotheratu ndipo n’zochititsa chidwi m’ndakatulo yake. Kugaŵira ntchito zaubongo kumtima kwakhala kowona m’mbiri yakale, ndipo kumlingo waukulu kuli kowonabe lerolino. Posachedwapa mkazi wa mnzake wapamtima anamwalira ndipo mwamunayo anayamba kukomoka kapena kuzimitsidwa. Pomalizira pake adaloledwa ku chipatala ndi banja lake lomwe linkada nkhawa kuti mwina pangakhale chifukwa chachikulu cha kuzimitsa kwa magetsi. Pambuyo poyesedwa mosamalitsa mwamunayo anapezeka kuti ali ndi thanzi labwino. Zimene dokotalayu ananena zinali zoti munthuyo anali ndi “mtima wosweka!” Kuzimitsidwa kwa magetsi kunali kofanana ndi kuyankha kwachisoni chachikulu ndi chisoni.

Zikumveka bwino pakali pano kuti mtima ndi mpope wodabwitsa womwe umagwira ntchito yogawa magazi mthupi lonse. Ubongo kumbali ina ndi chiwalo chovuta kwambiri chomwe chimakhala pampando wa luntha - kulingalira, kulingalira, kuphunzira, kupanga zisankho, kuzindikira, kukumbukira, chinenero, ndi zina zotero, komanso malo a maganizo - chisoni, chisoni, kuseka, chikondi, mkwiyo, mantha, ndi zina zotero. Ndikukayikira kuti banjali linapumula kwambiri podziwa kuti kuzimitsidwa kwa magetsi kunali chifukwa cha "mtima wosweka" kusiyana ndi dokotala atawauza kuti wokondedwa wawo akudwala "ubongo wosweka. !" Pali china chake choti chinenedwe kuti chiphatso cha ndakatulo!

Yesu anati: “Pakuti mkati mwa mitima ya anthu mumatuluka maganizo oipa, za dama, za kuba, zakupha, za chigololo, umbombo, dumbo, chinyengo, chiwerewere, kaduka, mwano, kudzikuza, ndi kupusa.” ( Maliko 7:21-22 ) Yesu ananena kuti: . Pa nthawi ina Yesu anaphunzitsa kuti: “Munthu wabwino amatulutsa zabwino mumtima mwake. Pakuti m’kamwa mwake mungolankhula mwa kusefukira kwa mtima wake” ( Luka 6:45 ). Mwachiwonekere, paliponse pamene khalidwe lokhudzana ndi chidziwitso ndi/kapena zochitika zamaganizo zimachitika m'Malemba, ndi maganizo aumunthu (ubongo) omwe amakhudzidwa.

Iwo amene anapatuliradi miyoyo yawo kwa Mulungu, ndipo awona kubadwanso mwa Ambuye Yesu Khristu, alandira “kuika mtima” kwa Baibulo. Kupyolera mwa Mneneri Ezekieli Mulungu akuti, “Ndidzawapatsa mtima umodzi, ndi kuika mwa iwo mzimu watsopano; Ndidzachotsa mitima yawo mwala mwa iwo ndi kuwapatsa mtima wa mnofu. + Pamenepo adzatsatira malamulo anga + ndi kusamala kusunga malamulo anga. Adzakhala anthu anga, ndipo Ine ndidzakhala Mulungu wawo” ( Ezekieli 11:19-20 ) Kachiŵirinso, kupyolera mwa mneneri yemweyo Mulungu akuti, “Chotsani zolakwa zanu zonse mudazichita, ndipo khalani ndi mtima watsopano ndi mzimu watsopano. Muferanji, inu nyumba ya Israyeli? + Pakuti sindikondwera ndi imfa ya aliyense,’ + watero Yehova, Ambuye Wamkulu Koposa. Lapani ndi kukhala ndi moyo. ( Ezekieli 18:31-32 ). Choyamba, tiyenera kuzindikira chenicheni chakuti malonjezo ameneŵa sali kwa Israyeli wakuthupi kokha, komanso kwa Israyeli wauzimu. Mtumwi Paulo akutikumbutsa kuti ulosi wa pa Yeremiya 31:31-33 ukukwaniritsidwa tsopano m’miyoyo ya okhulupirira onse oona. Ponena za nsembe yangwiro ya Ambuye wathu, iye anati: “Mzimu Woyeranso amatichitira umboni za ichi. Poyamba akuti, ‘Ili ndi pangano limene ndidzapangana nawo pambuyo pa nthawi imeneyo,’ watero Yehova. ndidzaika malamulo anga m’mitima mwawo, ndipo ndidzawalemba m’maganizo mwawo. Ndiyeno akuwonjezera kuti, 'Sindidzakumbukiranso machimo awo ndi zolakwa zawo.' Ndipo pamene izi zakhululukidwa, palibenso nsembe yauchimo” (Ahebri 10:15-18). Chachiwiri, tiwona kuti m'mawu onse awiri a Ezekieli, mtima watsopano nthawi zonse umatsagana ndi mzimu watsopano. Ndi mphamvu ndi chikoka cha Mzimu Woyera wa Mulungu zomwe zimabweretsa kusinthika kwa miyoyo ya okhulupilira kubweretsa mtima watsopano - "malingaliro a Khristu." Tikamayesetsa kuchita chifuniro cha Mulungu ndi mphamvu zathu, tidzapitirizabe kulephera pa ntchito yathu. Ngati pali phunziro limodzi limene tiyenera kuphunzira pa zimene Mulungu anachita ndi mtundu wa Israyeli pansi pa Pangano la Chilamulo, nlakuti sitingakhale ndi moyo wokondweretsa Mulungu mwa mphamvu zathu tokha. Mzimu Woyera ndi umene umatipatsa mphamvu kuti tichite zimene munthu sangathe kuchita. “…osati ndi mphamvu, kapena mphamvu, koma ndi mzimu wanga, ati Yehova Wamphamvuyonse” (Zekariya 4:6).

Mtumwi Paulo akutikumbutsa zimene tsogolo la Mulungu liri kwa wotsatira mapazi a Yesu aliyense. “Pakuti iwo amene Mulungu anawadziwiratu iye anawakonzeratu kuti afanizidwe ndi mafanizidwe a Mwana wake, kuti Iye akakhale woyamba kubadwa mwa abale ambiri” ( Aroma 8:29 ). “Kutengera mafanizidwe” a Yesu kumatanthauza kukhala ndi malingaliro a Yesu - kuganiza momwe Iye akanachitira ndi kulabadira zokumana nazo m'moyo momwe Iye akanachitira. Mwachidule, kutengera chifaniziro cha Yesu ndiko kulola Yesu kukhala moyo wake mwa ife ( 1 Akor. 2:14-16 .

Izi ndi zimene Paulo akutanthauza pamene akunena kuti, “Ndapachikidwa pamodzi ndi Khristu ndipo sindinenso ndi moyo, koma Khristu ali ndi moyo mwa ine. Moyo umene ndili nawo m’thupi, ndili nawo m’chikhulupiriro cha Mwana wa Mulungu, amene anandikonda, nadzipereka yekha chifukwa cha ine.” ( Agalatiya 2:20; Ndi kuzindikira kozama chotani nanga! Yesu akufuna kukhala chidzalo cha moyo wake mwa ife!

Pamene Yesu amatiphunzitsa kuti: “Odala ali oyera mtima, chifukwa adzaona Mulungu,” akutitsimikizira za madalitso a kukhala ndi mtima, kutanthauza maganizo a Yesu. Kufikira pamene tili ndi cholinga chimodzi pamene tikuthamangira mphoto ya mayitanidwe apamwamba a Mulungu mwa Khristu Yesu, ndipo pamene tikufuna kukhala ndi zolinga ndi zokhumba zathu zonse pansi pa ulamuliro wa Khristu, tidzapeza madalitso osaneneka. moyo wathu wamakono ndi kukhala ndi chitsimikizo chonse kuti tidzaona Mulungu mu moyo ulinkudza. Kodi tingatani kuti tipeze madalitso amenewa?

1. Choyamba, tiyenera kufunitsitsa kukhala ngati Mbuye wathu. Tiyenera kuzindikira kuti pamene mitima yathu imagwirizana kwambiri ndi mtima wake, m’pamenenso miyoyo yathu idzalemekeza kwambiri Mulungu. Choncho, tiyenera kuyamba ndi kufunafuna mphamvu ya Mulungu yotsanzira Ambuye wathu Yesu Khristu modzichepetsa. Paulo anati: “Mukhale ndi mtima womwewo ndi cholinga ndi maganizo [odzichepetsa] amene munali mwa Khristu Yesu. – Mloleni Iye akhale chitsanzo chanu mu kudzichepetsa – Amene, ngakhale kuti kwenikweni anali mmodzi ndi Mulungu [kukhala ndi chidzalo cha makhalidwe amene amapangitsa Mulungu kukhala Mulungu], sanaganize kuti kufanana uku ndi Mulungu ndi chinthu chogwirika kapena kusungidwa; Koma adadzivula [maudindo onse ndi ulemerero wake] kuti adzifanizire ngati kapolo (kapolo); Ndipo pamene anaonekera m’maonekedwe a munthu, anadzicepetsa, nadzicepetsa yekha, nanyamula kumvera kwace kufikira imfa yaimfa, ndiyo imfa ya pamtanda. Cifukwa cace [chifukwa anaŵerama kwambiri], Mulungu anamkweza Iye koposa, nampatsa Iye dzina limene liposa maina onse kwaufulu, kuti m’dzina la Yesu bondo liri lonse lipinde, zakumwamba ndi zapadziko lapansi. ndi pansi pa dziko lapansi, ndi malilime onse abvomereza ndi kubvomereza kuti Yesu Kristu ali Ambuye, kuchitira ulemu Mulungu Atate” ( Afilipi 2:5-11 ) ( The Amplified Version ).

2. Tiyenera kugonjera mofunitsitsa ndi mwachimwemwe ku ntchito ya Mulungu, tikumadziŵa bwino lomwe kuti ngati tiyesa kuchita tokha njirayo, tidzalephera momvetsa chisoni. Paulo anati: “Muli opulumutsidwa ndi chisomo chakuchita mwa chikhulupiriro, ndipo ichi chosachokera kwa inu, chili mphatso ya Mulungu, osati ndi ntchito, kuti asadzitamandire munthu. Pakuti ife ndife ntchito ya Mulungu, yolengedwa mwa Khristu Yesu kuchita ntchito zabwino, zimene Mulungu anazikonzeratu kuti tizizichita” ( Aefeso 2:8-10 ). “Chifukwa chake, okondedwa anga, monga mwamvera nthawi zonse, osati pamaso panga pokha, koma makamaka tsopano pokhala ine palibe, pitirizani kukonza chipulumutso chanu ndi mantha ndi kunjenjemera; achite monga momwe amamkomera” ( Afilipi 2:12-13 ). Baibulo la Barclay’s Translation limasonyezadi chiyambukiro chonse cha Afilipi 2:13 — “Pakuti ndiye Mulungu amene akugwira ntchito mwa inu, kuyika mwa inu chikhumbokhumbo ndi mphamvu yakukwaniritsa cholinga chake kwa inu.”
   
   

3. Tiyenera kuzindikira kuti chigonjetso chachikulu pa malingaliro osayenera ndi zolinga ndi kugonjera ganizo lirilonse ku mphamvu yowunika ya Mzimu Woyera. Iyi ndi ntchito yopatsa mphamvu kwambiri yomwe Mulungu angachite m'miyoyo yathu! “Pakuti zida za nkhondo yathu siziri zathupi, koma zamphamvu mwa Mulungu zopasula malinga, kugwetsa mikangano, ndi chokwezeka chilichonse chodzikweza pokana chidziwitso cha Mulungu, ndi kugonjetsa ganizo lililonse ku kumvera kwa Khristu. . . . 10:4-5 NKJV).

4. Tiyenera kuyamikira mfundo yakuti kukwaniritsa zimene Mulungu watikonzera - kutsatiridwa ndi chifaniziro cha Khristu - sikudzangochitika mwadzidzidzi. Ndi njira yomwe imatenga moyo wonse. Choncho sitiyenera kutaya mtima. Komabe, n’zodalitsidwa chotani nanga kuona ntchito ikupita patsogolo m’miyoyo ya oyera mtima a Mulungu! “Koma ife tonse ndi nkhope yosaphimbidwa, popenyerera monga mwa kalirole ulemerero wa Ambuye, tikusandulika m’chifanizo chomwechi kuchokera ku ulemerero kumka ku ulemerero, monga mwa Mzimu wa Ambuye” (2 Akorinto 3:18 NKJV).

5. Pamene Mulungu akugwira ntchito yake mwa ife, tiyenera kugwiritsa ntchito zida ziwiri zamphamvu zomwe watipatsa ndipo amayembekeza kuti tigwiritse ntchito mokwanira. Choyamba, tiyenera kukonzanso malingaliro athu (mitima) tsiku ndi tsiku pakumizidwa mu mawu a Mulungu. Lemba la pa 2 Akorinto 3:18 limene lagwidwa mawu pamwambali likusonyeza momveka bwino kuti timasandulika m’njira ya pang’onopang’ono – kuchokera ku ulemerero kupita ku ulemerero – kulowa m’chifaniziro cha Khristu, pamene tikuona ulemerero wake “monga m’kalirole,” ndiko kuti, m’chifaniziro cha Khristu. mawu a Mulungu! Chida chachiwiri chimene Mulungu watipatsa ndi champhamvu chimodzimodzi. Mulungu watipatsa ife mwayi wapadera ndi chisangalalo chokhala mukulankhulana kosalekeza ndi chiyanjano ndi iye kupyolera mu pemphero. Chifukwa cha ntchito yachikondi ya Mulungu mwa ife, miyoyo yathu iyenera kukhala umboni wokhazikika wa matamando ndi chiyamiko kwa Atate wathu wa Kumwamba ndi kwa Mpulumutsi wathu wachikondi, Yesu Khristu. Mtumwi Paulo, pofuna kuti okhulupirika a ku Kolose aone chidzalo cha chisomo cha Mulungu m’miyoyo yawo, akugogomezera kufunika kwa mawu a Mulungu ndi pemphero m’malangizo otsatirawa: “Ndipo pa zinthu zonse izi valani chikondi, chimene chimagwirizanitsa zonse pamodzi m’moyo. umodzi wangwiro. Mtendere wa Kristu ulamulire m’mitima yanu, popeza munaitanidwa monga ziwalo za thupi limodzi; Ndipo khalani othokoza. Mau a Kristu akhale mwa inu molemera, pamene muphunzitsa ndi kulangizana wina ndi mnzace, ndi nzeru zonse, ndi kuyimbira masalmo, ndi nyimbo zauzimu, ndi ciyamiko m’mitima yanu kwa Mulungu. Ndipo chiri chonse mukachichita, m’mawu kapena m’ntchito, chitani zonse m’dzina la Ambuye Yesu, ndi kuyamika Mulungu Atate mwa Iye” ( Akolose 3:14-17 ).

6. Ndipo potsiriza, tiyeni tikondwere mu chenicheni chapamwamba cha kukhulupirika kwa Atate wathu wa Kumwamba! Paulo akutikumbutsa kuti: “…ndikukhulupirira ndi ichi, kuti iye amene adayamba ntchito yabwino mwa inu, adzayitsiriza kufikira ataitsiriza, kufikira tsiku la Kristu Yesu” (Afilipi 1:6).

Mulungu alemekezeke! Ndi kukhulupirika komweko komwe kumalankhula ndi mitima yathu kudzera mwa Mwana wake amene watiphunzitsa kuti, “Odala ali oyera mtima, chifukwa adzaona Mulungu.”

KUFANANA KWAMBIRI NDI INU

Ndi mtima wonga Mulungu wanga, Wopanda ungwiro wopanda ungwiro; Mtima wolingana ndi Mawu Anu, Ndi wokondweretsa, Ambuye, kwa Inu.

Mtima wogonja, womvera, wofatsa, Mpando wachifumu wa Muomboli Wanga wamkulu Kumene Kristu yekha akumva akulankhula, Kumene Yesu akulamulira yekha.

Mtima wodzichepetsa, wodzichepetsa, wosweka, Wokhulupirira, woona ndi woyera, Umene ngakhale moyo kapena imfa sizingalekanitse Kwa Iye amene akhala mkati;

Mtima mu lingaliro lirilonse wokonzedwanso, Wodzala ndi chikondi chaumulungu, Changwiro, ndi cholondola, ndi choyera, ndi chabwino Chitsanzo Chanu, Ambuye.

In the sixth beatitude, or what have often been called “the beautiful attitudes” listed in the fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” What is the underlying principle our Lord wishes to convey to us when He speaks of the purity of heart? It would be even more helpful to begin by asking a more fundamental question – what is the real meaning of the biblical “heart”?

It is clear that most of what we understand today about the human brain in terms of brain functions, the Bible assigns to the human heart. It is imperative that we recognize the fact that the Bible is not intended to serve as a science textbook. The Bible is God’s revelation to men of who He is, and what His eternal purpose is in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:10-11). However, even though the Bible does not explain scientific concepts, what the Bible describes about these concepts is absolutely accurate in its content and majestic in its poetic beauty. Assigning brain functions to the heart has been true historically, and to a great extent is still true today. Recently the wife of a close friend passed away and the man started experiencing frequent fainting spells or blackouts. He was finally admitted to the hospital by his family who were concerned that there might be an underlying physical cause for the blackouts. After a thorough series of tests the man was found to be in perfect physical health. The doctor’s diagnosis was that the man was suffering from “a broken heart!” The blackouts were a typical response to deep grief and sorrow.

It is clearly understood at present that the heart is fundamentally a remarkable muscular pump responsible for distributing blood throughout the body. The brain on the other hand is a profoundly complex organ in which resides the seat of the intellect – thought, reasoning, learning, decision-making, insight, memory, language, etc., as well as the seat of the emotions – grief, sorrow, laughter, love, anger, fear, etc. I suspect the family was much more relieved knowing that the blackouts were the result of “a broken heart” than if the doctor had told them their loved one was suffering from “a broken brain!” There is something to be said for poetic license!

Jesus said: “For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly” (Mark 7:21-22). On another occasion Jesus taught, “The good man brings good things out in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Clearly, wherever behavior relating to cognitive and/or emotional activity occurs in Scripture, it is the human mind (brain) that is implicated.

Those who have truly consecrated their lives to God, and have experienced a rebirth in the Lord Jesus Christ, have received a biblical “heart transplant”. Through the Prophet Ezekiel God says, “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God” (Ezekiel 11:19-20). Again, through the same prophet God says, “Rid yourselves of all offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:31- 32). First of all, we must appreciate the fact that these promises are not only to natural Israel, but to spiritual Israel as well. Apostle Paul reminds us that the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:31-33 has its fulfillment now in the lives of all true believers. Speaking of our Lord’s perfect sacrifice, he says, “The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First, He says, ‘This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.’ Then he adds, ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’ And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin” (Hebrews 10:15-18). Secondly, we will notice that in both citations from Ezekiel, the new heart is always accompanied by a new spirit. It is the power and influence of God’s Holy Spirit that brings about the transformation in the lives of believers resulting in a new heart – the “mind of Christ.” As we try to do God’s will in our own strength, we will continue to fail in our missions. If there is one lesson we must learn from God’s dealing with the nation of Israel under the Law Covenant, it is that we cannot live lives that please God in our own strength. It is the Holy Spirit that empowers us to do what is otherwise humanly impossible. “…’Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit’, says the Lord Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6).

The Apostle Paul reminds us of what God’s destiny is for each footstep follower of Jesus. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29). To be “conformed to the likeness” of Jesus is to have the mind of Jesus – to think as He would and to respond to life experiences as He would. In short, to be conformed to the image of Jesus is to let Jesus live His life in us (1 Cor. 2:14-16).

This is precisely what Paul means when he says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). What a profound realization! Jesus desires to live the fullness of His life in us!

When Jesus teaches us: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God,” He is assuring us of the blessedness of having the heart – that is, the mind, of Jesus. To the extent that we are single-minded in purpose as we run for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and as we seek to have our motives and desires fully under the control of Christ, we will experience untold blessings in our present lives and have the full assurance that we will see God in the life to come. How can we achieve this state of blessedness?

1. First, we must sincerely desire to be like the Master. We must realize that the more our hearts conform to His heart, the more fully will our lives glorify God. We must start, therefore, by seeking God’s power to emulate our Lord Jesus Christ in humility. Paul says, “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus. – Let Him be your example in humility – Who, although being essentially one with God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be grasped or retained; But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity] so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low], God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5- 11 - The Amplified Version).

2. We must willingly and joyfully submit to God’s workmanship, knowing full well that if we try to go the course alone, we will fail miserably. Paul says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8- 10). “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13).
   Barclay’s Translation truly captures the full impact of Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God who is at work in you, to put into you the will to desire and the power to achieve what his purpose has planned for you.”

3. We must realize that the ultimate victory over improper thoughts and motives is to submit every thought to the scrutinizing power of the Holy Spirit. This is indeed, the most profound spiritually enabling and 3 empowering work God can do in our lives! “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ …” (1 Cor. 10:4-5 NKJV).

4. We must appreciate the fact that achieving God’s destiny for us – being conformed to the image of Christ – will not be done overnight. It is a process that takes a lifetime. Therefore, we should never become discouraged. Nevertheless, how blessed it is to see the work in progress in the lives of God’s saints! “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV).

5. As God does His work in us, we need to avail ourselves of the two powerful implements He has given us and expects us to use to full advantage. First, we need to renew our minds (hearts) on a daily basis by being immersed in the word of God. The scripture in 2 Corinthians 3:18 which was quoted above clearly indicates that we are transformed in a stepwise manner – from glory to glory – into the image of Christ, as we behold His glory “as in a mirror,” that is, in the word of God! The second implement God has given us is equally as powerful. God has given us the extraordinary privilege and pleasure of being in constant communication and communion with him through prayer. As a result of God’s loving work in us, our lives must be a constant testimony of praise and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father and to our loving Savior, Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, wanting the faithful ones in Colossae to experience the fullness of God’s grace in their lives, stresses the importance of God’s word and prayer in the following admonitions: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in words or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:14- 17).

6. And finally, let us bask in the sublime reality of our Heavenly Father’s faithfulness! Paul reminds us: “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

Praise God! It is that same faithfulness that speaks to our hearts through His Son who has taught us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

MORE LIKENESS TO THEE

O for a heart more like my
God, From imperfection free;
A heart conformed unto thy
Word, And pleasing, Lord, to thee.

A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
My great Redeemer’s throne
Where only Christ is heard to
speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.

A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
Believing, true and clean,
Which neither life nor death can part
From Him who dwells within;

A heart in every thought renewed,
And full of love divine,
Perfect, and right, and pure, and good
A copy, Lord, of Thine.

© CDMI – Free Bible Students