“THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART”

The relevance of Jesus’ teachings (i.e., doctrine) to man’s salvation is undeniably affirmed in the Bible. Despite this, Jesus’ teachings continue to be treated in the same manner as He personally was treated: with neglect, contempt, and malice. The same treatment continues toward all who advocate strict adherence to Jesus’ teachings, for Jesus forewarned, “A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.” (John 15:20).

The level of spite toward Jesus’ teachings is seen from the fact that even His miracles of instantaneous healing and restoring life gave no credibility to His words. Even His miraculous power was attributed to Satan (Matthew 10:25; 12:24). “Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.” (John 15:20-24-ASV).

While it is sad that Jesus’ words are rejected, it is worse when rejection comes from Jesus’ own disciples. Jesus explained why this happens in John 3:19-20: people love the darkness more than they love the light; and they act in accordance with what is in their heart. Jesus’ teachings expose the presence of the love for darkness within the heart. There are two possible reactions to this exposure: repentance or hatred. Truth “cuts to the heart”. An honest heart responds as those in Acts 2:41, gladly receiving the news that their transgressions will be forgiven. Whereas an evil heart reacts with hatred, as those did toward Stephen in Acts 7:54. An evil heart behaves as Cain did when confronted with his disobedience. “And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother’s righteous” (1 John 3:12). The abundance of the heart is evident by our behavior (cf. Isaiah 3:9). Truly, “the wicked are like the troubled sea” (Isaiah 57:20).

Truth exposes and condemns wickedness within the heart (Romans 1:29-32). We may succeed in hiding our wickedness from man, but it is known by God (Psalm 44:20-21-ASV). The desire to commit these acts exists in the heart (mind – cf. Job 15:35; Psalm 7:14; Isaiah 59:4). That desire yearns to be satisfied, and satisfaction comes when the act is committed. When we act, our lust has conceived, bringing forth sin, which ends in death (James 1:14-15). The most obvious way that a person reveals the abundance of wickedness in their heart, is by a rejection of God’s words.

God’s words were Jesus’ words (John 12:49). Jesus’ words were given to the apostles (John 17:8). These words were proclaimed “in all creation under heaven” (Colossians 1:23). Those who did not receive Jesus’ words, blasphemed Him in taking His words out of context. We see this from John 2:19 – “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” JESUS WAS REFERRING TO HIS OWN BODY BEING RAISED. Yet Jesus was accused of saying that He would destroy the physical temple and then rebuild it in three days. The apostles’ words were likewise taken out of context, in an effort to silence them from exposing the sins of those who hated truth (cf. “…these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.” (Acts 17:8).

Jesus calls upon us to fill our hearts with “…with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.” A heart filled with the knowledge of Christ, will admonish others (Romans 15:13-14). As Solomon observed, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17). Our heart is filled with these things by accepting them into our daily walk.  “He that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:25).

Jesus stated the ultimate reward of those with a pure heart: “…they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8). Let us remember the power of the heart’s abundance: “The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:35). 

“TRUST AND OBEY; FOR THERE’S NO OTHER WAY”

 

In Jeremiah 7 we find God instructing the prophet Jeremiah to proclaim a message to Judah. BACKGROUND: The kingdom of Judah consisted of the two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, which remained loyal to the rule of David, Solomon, and Rehoboam.  Following the division of the twelve tribes into two kingdoms, Israel, the northern kingdom followed Jeroboam and was taken into captivity by Assyria for punishment of their disobedience. Judah, the southern kingdom remained for some 120 years longer, before being punished for the same reasons, and with the same fate, at the hands of Babylonia.

The similarities among these two physical nations of God’s people, which resulted in their punishment, also exist among God’s people today. The Lord’s apostles warned Christians against practicing idolatry, self-righteousness, stubbornness, and hypocrisy. Nevertheless, these sins were committed. They are natural fruits, of what Jeremiah called “lying words” (cf. chapter 7:8). Lying words were just that: lies. The lies failed to warn and condemn the sinful living of God’s people. This was seen from what Jeremiah said to another prophet, Hananiah, in chapter 28:15: “Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.” Several others were guilty of “lying words”:

PASHHUR – “…all that dwell in thy house shall go into captivity; and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and there shalt thou be buried, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied falsely.” – 20:6

SHEMAIAH – “…prophesied…and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie...” – 29:31

PROPHETS – “...Thy prophets have seen for thee false and foolish visions; and they have not uncovered thine iniquity…but have seen for thee false oracles...” – Lamentations 2:14

As a result, the people assembled regularly to offer sacrifices to God while doing the same to other gods. This, of course, revealed their hypocrisy. God’s message through Jeremiah was to condemn this, calling upon the people to repent and serve God alone. 

Ezekiel had a similar message. “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own heart, Hear ye the word of Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing.” (Ezekiel 13:2-3). “Because with lies ye have grieved the heart of the righteous…and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive…” (Ezekiel 13:22). “And her prophets…divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, when Jehovah hath not spoken..” (Ezekiel 22:28).

HOW did they "trust" in lying words (Jeremiah 7:8)? It was not through faith alone, or by a prayer, for we are told how they trusted from Jeremiah 7:9-10. God revealed the specifics of their hypocrisy when He said: "Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and swear falsely, and offer sacrifices to Baal and walk after other gods that you have not known, then come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—that you may do all these abominations?"

Then in verse 13, God stated, "And now, because ye have done all these 'WORKS'...". This word refers to their disobedience. Other words found in various translations are: evil things, sinning, wicked things, and sins. As there can be works that classify as disobedience (cf. Ephesians 5:11), there can be works that classify as obedience (cf. John 6:29; James 2:21-24). Trust is done through belief and acting in accordance with your belief. If your belief is in lying words, your obedience to lies will be disobedience to God. If your belief is in the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11), your obedience will be rewarded.

Jeremiah was told: "Therefore, PRAY NOT thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me; for I will not hear thee." (Jeremiah 7:16).

False teaching is characterized by one dominant aspect. It downplays commands and obedience. Jesus died for "the world (John 3:16), yet is the author of salvation TO THOSE THAT OBEY (Hebrews 5:9). You obey Jesus by obeying His commands (2 John 1:9-11). Conversely, truth will stress both God’s commands and man’s obedience. This is what separates truth from error. Trust and obey are the principles upon which salvation has always been purposed. We see this from another prophet, Isaiah.

THE CONDITIONS: Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds; cease to do evil...

THEN: Learn to do good; seek justice; correct oppression...

IF YOU ARE WILLING AND OBEDIENT...though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow... (Isaiah 1:16-19).

Read the entire chapter of Jeremiah 7 to see the similarities between Jeremiah's day and our day. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun.