GOD KNOWS MY HEART
God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith… No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” —Acts 15:8-9, 11
What was true when these verses were written is true today—
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” —Ephesians 1:13-14
Yes, it is true that—
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” —Ephesians 2:1-5
Fellow follower/disciple of Jesus, how fortunate we are that “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians2:8-10). Truly, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). And so, those who have believed—
- Have been saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus
- Have had their hearts purified by faith
- Have been given the Holy Spirit, the Seal of God
- Have hearts that are known by God
- Have been guaranteed an inheritance
- Have experiences God’s great love for us
- Have experienced God’s great mercy toward us
- Have been made alive in Christ who were once dead in sin
- Have received the gift of God— eternal life through Jesus by faith
- Have good works to do that God prepared in advance for us to do
Brothers and sisters, how fortunate are we? And now, Dear Father, may we be faithful in the “good works” You have prepared for us in advance to do. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son, King Jesus. May this all be for Your honor and glory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkSBmRAVXNc&list=RDqkSBmRAVXNc&start_radio=1