"Let's check your pulse"... you've probably all heard this statement when going to the Dr., since a visit usually involves a nurse checking your heart rate. At times, we need heart surgery and some people have even undergone a heart transplant.
Not only is our physical heart rate important, but according to the Bible, our heart is something that is important in our relationship with others and with God. Throughout the Bible we read the word 'heart'; in most cases, this is not a reference of our physical heart, but it refers to our 'inner being' - that part of us that's comprised of our thoughts and attitude.
There is an Old Testament scripture that says we are to love God with all of our 'heart', soul and mind; Jesus is quoted as referencing this same text in His biographies by the Gospel writers. When we read this text, it is not simply a suggestion for us to have a quality life-no, it is actually a command. Our thoughts and attitudes toward God should be pure, with our motives for serving Him also being pure. When they are not, imagine it being the same as a blocked artery or vein that affects your physical heart. Doctors have several ways of 'cleaning' our blocked arteries and veins; God has offered us a means of 'cleaning' our thoughts and attitudes toward Him- it's a principle called confession and repentance.
Confess simply means 'to say the same as'. In 1 John 1:9, we find that confessing our sins to God brings forgiveness and a cleansing. Someone arrested for a crime is encouraged to 'confess' their part and motive; when doing this, they are admitting they did the 'same thing' they are accused of. In the same manner, when we sin against God (ie, violate His Word) this verse says we are to say/admit we have done what God has said is wrong and are to be clear, not vague, in saying the wrong.
To repent generally is defined as 'to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.' Notice it says to 'change'; if we look at repentance before God as a change of direction in thinking or life, this explains the principle of repentance in a biblical sense.
When we are truly sorry and want to make changes in our life, we have grace - ability and desire - to confess our wrong to God (and others, when necessary) and we are to repent-change our thinking or attitude about the matter/issue.
So I'm sure you're asking...what do these terms have to do with my heart rate??
When our spirit, mind and attitude are blocked by sin, our spiritual heart rate is affected- it doesn't function as it should; when we confess and repent of our sins, the 'blockage' is removed and our heart rate is normal.
This week, check your spirit's heart rate... is it functioning as it should, or do we need to visit Dr. Jesus?
Not only is our physical heart rate important, but according to the Bible, our heart is something that is important in our relationship with others and with God. Throughout the Bible we read the word 'heart'; in most cases, this is not a reference of our physical heart, but it refers to our 'inner being' - that part of us that's comprised of our thoughts and attitude.
There is an Old Testament scripture that says we are to love God with all of our 'heart', soul and mind; Jesus is quoted as referencing this same text in His biographies by the Gospel writers. When we read this text, it is not simply a suggestion for us to have a quality life-no, it is actually a command. Our thoughts and attitudes toward God should be pure, with our motives for serving Him also being pure. When they are not, imagine it being the same as a blocked artery or vein that affects your physical heart. Doctors have several ways of 'cleaning' our blocked arteries and veins; God has offered us a means of 'cleaning' our thoughts and attitudes toward Him- it's a principle called confession and repentance.
Confess simply means 'to say the same as'. In 1 John 1:9, we find that confessing our sins to God brings forgiveness and a cleansing. Someone arrested for a crime is encouraged to 'confess' their part and motive; when doing this, they are admitting they did the 'same thing' they are accused of. In the same manner, when we sin against God (ie, violate His Word) this verse says we are to say/admit we have done what God has said is wrong and are to be clear, not vague, in saying the wrong.
To repent generally is defined as 'to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.' Notice it says to 'change'; if we look at repentance before God as a change of direction in thinking or life, this explains the principle of repentance in a biblical sense.
When we are truly sorry and want to make changes in our life, we have grace - ability and desire - to confess our wrong to God (and others, when necessary) and we are to repent-change our thinking or attitude about the matter/issue.
So I'm sure you're asking...what do these terms have to do with my heart rate??
When our spirit, mind and attitude are blocked by sin, our spiritual heart rate is affected- it doesn't function as it should; when we confess and repent of our sins, the 'blockage' is removed and our heart rate is normal.
This week, check your spirit's heart rate... is it functioning as it should, or do we need to visit Dr. Jesus?
