Love…the most powerful thing in this life, isn’t it? Some yield it as a way of control and manipulation, but if you look closely, it isn’t true love they possess. 1 Corinthians 13 outlines a Godly love that surpasses all our human expectations and assumptions. It is without error, perfect in every detail. Love does not ‘play favorites’ in whom may give or whom may receive. It reminds me so much of Grace, in that is it completely unmerited yet a gift waiting to be opened.
For to do that requires us to also examine ourselves…
The lens of ‘self’ always sees things differently than reality. We are lovely to ourselves, always ready with an excuse for less-than-stellar behavior. Blame it on our spouse , our hormones (guilty!), the kids or ANYONE else but us. Deceit is funny thing, you know. It surfaces stealthily or even brazenly, depending on our mood but we’re often the last one to notice. Our motivation to make ourselves appear better than someone else reveals our heart condition.
“For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you..” Matthew 15:19-20 (NLT)
David knew this about himself so he begged the Lord to “create in me a clean heart…” (Psalm 51:10). His son, King Solomon, warned us to “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT). The Word is full about how the condition of our heart (aka motivations) effects everything we say, think and do. It can be worked for good or for evil.
So as we go about our day, our night, and our everything in between, let us be aware of our heart position…our motives and intents. This area of our internal make up will drive us. That quote, “check your heart” is as appropriate today as ever. This culture in which we live thrives on cancelling out competing opinions or viewpoints. Why is that? I’d venture to say that it is out of our own woundedness, short comings, regrets, etc. we want to exalt ourselves above someone else.
But that is a topic for another day…
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