SEE GOD YOUR HEART

"But, thank God, because even though you were slaves of sin, have obeyed from the heart that form of teaching that has been transmitted to them." (Romans 6:17)

When we receive Christ as our Savior, God gives us a new heart - a heart that wants to do what is right. However, it takes a while until our behavior follow our new heart, and this is often frustrating. A part of us want to do what is right, but the other part of us fight against it. This is the war between the flesh and the spirit that Paul mentions in Galatians 5:17.

In the new birth, God inwardly team us with everything we need to live a holy and obedient life. We are made new creatures in Christ; the old things passed away and all things have become new (see Corinthians 5:17). I like to say that we were made of a new spiritual mud and we spent our lives allowing the Holy Spirit to mold the image of Christ (see Romans 8:29). We need to thank God for having a new heart, a heart that wants to be obedient.

Celebrate your progress and not get discouraged because God sees your heart. If we forget what is behind us and keep proceeding to the place of total obedience, God will be pleased. We are learning to walk with God and walking is the slowest form of travel there is. Maybe you're not where you want to be, but thank God because you have an obedient heart.

THE WORD OF GOD FOR YOU TODAY: Put the focus on Jesus today, not on your mistakes.

Joyce Meyer