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19 Jan:
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART
Heb 3:8 “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness”. Ps 95:8 “Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the wilderness.” Matthew 13:14-15 “In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, 'By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive: For this people's heart has grown callous, Their ears are dull of hearing, Their eyes they have closed”.
This condition of hard hearts is well attested to by Jesus Himself through many of His parables:
HARDENED HEARTS:
- Rich man and Lazarus: Lk 16:19-23 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and LONGING to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died, and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” Apparently there are consequences for having a calloused and hardened heart!
- Rich Young Ruler seeking eternal life: Mtt 19:21-26 “Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
- Rich man and his barns: Luke 12:16-21 “And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Apparently being self-indulgent and not being appreciative of God’s blessings will also have consequences! Do you see what else is missing? Remember the “Good Samaritan” parable and the conclusion from last week: Compassion is a life-style. After loving God and appreciating all that He has done for us – we are to also love our neighbor!
- COMMON TRAIT in these passages: SELF-absorbed ; NO concern or awareness of and no love / response for those around them who are truly in need! And as we have seen there are consequences for living this way. Rom 2:5 “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God”. Mtt 13:9 (And after this parable Jesus declared) “He who has ears, let him hear!” Luke 6:45 “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bring forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”
The concept of "hardness of heart" is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, representing a spiritual condition where an individual becomes resistant or indifferent to God's voice and guidance. This condition is often associated with disobedience, unbelief, and a lack of compassion.
Causes of Hardness of Heart
1. Unbelief: A primary cause of hardness of heart is unbelief. Hebrews 3:12-13 warns, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."
2. Pride and Self-Reliance: Pride can lead to a hardened heart, as individuals rely on their own understanding rather than seeking God's wisdom. Proverbs 28:14 "Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble." Proverbs 8:13 "To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Daniel 5:20 "But when his (Belshazzar)heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory."
3. Sin and Disobedience: Persistent sin and disobedience to God's commands can desensitize the heart. Ephesians 4:18-19 “being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.”
4. Bitterness or Resentment due to hurt caused by others. Sometimes, that hurt is caused intentionally. Oftentimes, however, it’s simply a misunderstanding. Many times, we can avoid this heart hardening by simply thinking the best of others and communicating well. Prayer and forgiveness are paramount, too. Ephesians 4:31-32 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
5. Isolation from God and Others: Some folks hide from God or specific people when living with a hardened heart. They grow angry or bitter, so they rely on avoidance. Proverbs 18:1 One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment.” Heb 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
6. Refusal to Forgive: This is clearly a sign of a hardened heart. Mtt 5:23,24 ““Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matt. 6:14-15 "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
7. Refusal to Serve or Be Ministered To: Jesus came to seek and save the lost – in whatever “lost” condition they were in – whether spiritual or broken physically. John 13:13-15 “You call Me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” We are to serve the needs of those around us. Gal 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Romans 15:1 “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Luke 10: Good Samaritan.
Preventing Hardness of Heart
1. Regular Reflection and Repentance: Believers are encouraged to regularly examine their hearts and repent of any sin. Psalm 139:23-24 is a prayer for introspection: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." 2 Cor 7:10 “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation”. Joel 2:12,13 “And rend your heart and not your clothes. Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting from evil.”
2. Cultivating a Teachable Spirit: Maintaining a humble and teachable spirit is essential. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." 2 Tim 3:16,17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
3. Engagement with Scripture and Prayer: Regular engagement with God's Word and prayer helps keep the heart sensitive to His voice. Hebrews 4:12 emphasizes the power of Scripture: "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This is the way in which we avoid conforming to the way of this world and instead – “be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you can prove what the will of God is” (Rom 12:2) and thereby avoid spiritual death “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Prov 14:12 & 16:25) “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, for training in righteousness”.(2 Tim 3:16) “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word. I seek You with all my heart. . . . I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You”. (Psalm 119:9–11)
4. Community and Accountability: Being part of a faith-community provides encouragement, help and accountability. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to "spur one another on to love and good deeds" and not to forsake gathering together.” Gal 6:1.2 “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespasses, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” James 5:19,20 “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” Eccl 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
We need to take every precaution and make every effort to avoid allowing our hearts to hardened and become unresponsive to God’s teachings and our brother’s sufferings!!!
12 Jan: The Good Samaritan
In the last few weeks, we have looked at passages which illustrate the love that God for us – His Creation and last week how our love and appreciation for what God has done for us should cause us to actively seek to spread the gospel. Today I want to look at the parable of the Good Samaritan. If you remember the parable is told to a young man as an explanation as to who WE are supposed to love.
After my lesson last week on being an ambassador and royal priesthood – I thought it would be fitting that we look at how such roles might play out in our daily lives.
Luke 10:25-28 “A certain lawyer stood up and asked Jesus, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” [Jesus’s answer] “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Do this and you will live.”
The young man asked about how to “Inherit eternal life”: inherit = receive or be left with from a predecessor or former owner. This typically means to receive something from someone else after they have died. We know something that the young man has no knowledge of, simply because it has not yet happened. Our receiving eternal life is because of Jesus Christ dying on the cross and from this comes the good message:
Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eph 2:8,9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
We need to realize that the following discussion is NOT someone earning their salvation but rather it is how someone lives their life out of love and appreciation for the inheritance of eternal life which we have received. What did Jesus say, “IF you love Me, you will keep my commandments.” Jesus is simply saying that this is Christians will live if we are believers and followers of Him. What did James say about faith – I will show you my faith by my works. So, faith comes first, and obedience just naturally comes next.
Luke 10:31,32 “And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.” Why did the priest and Levite pass by on the other side?
Before I jump into this part of the discussion I want to stipulate that if any travelers were to come down this road and to encounter this situation - these two men, these two Godly servants, should have known better than anyone else the teachings of God about mercy, love and compassion; Lev 19:18, 34 “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any trudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” “You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Deut 10:19 “Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Psalm 11:7 “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.
Yet, knowing the teachings of the Lord - Why did the priest and Levite pass by on the other side?
- The man in the ditch has been beaten severely. Those who did this may still be in area. Luke 9:23 “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the own who will save it.”
- If the man dies while they are trying to help, they become unclean and cannot do their temple duties. Num 19:11 “Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days.” Do you remember the story of how Saul was told and succeeded in defeating the Amalekites and he was told to “utterly destroy all that they had and instead Saul spared the King and kept some of the best livestock. What did Saul say when Samuel asked about the livestock 1 Sam 15:10-23 “The people took some of the spoil to sacrifice to the Lord your God. Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord. Behold, to obey is better than sacrifices.’”
We started the lesson off with the reading of the Levitical passage regarding loving our neighbor. Which of the requirements do you think God holds more highly: loving your neighbor or attend to your priestly duties???
- If they stop to help, they will lose considerable time and resources. Consider what Paul tells us about his sacrifices: 2 Cor 11: 23-29 “Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting’s often, in cold and nakedness . . . . .”
The point of Paul’s account here is to defend his Apostleship for the Lord. Remember the old question about if Christianity was against the law could we be convicted according to how we have lived our lives???
Now Jesus does not specifically condemn these two religious people, but He does ask the young man who it was that fulfilled the command to love our neighbor? The answer, by necessary inference, indicates that these two did NOT do for his neighbor as God desired and therefore they did wrong by doing nothing.
So what is the moral of the story? The Moral of the story is that our Christian walk is a life-style. Compassion is not real if it is no more than an emotion. Real compassion, real love, real faith – produces works, affects conduct – not just in the sense of doing no evil but living according to the Golden Rule: “DO” unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Jesus concluded His lesson: “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.”