Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Exercises of the Inclination and Will of the Soul in the Affections of the Heart

1 Peter 3:15 “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

I love when technical words and processes are broken down and explained, in an elementary manner, in order that the complete meaning is understood and con be properly applied to live issues in our life. When it comes to some biblical terms, we need to explain this “Christianize” simply, so everyone can understand, value and use them in their walk with the Lord. This type of defining moment happened to me as One of America’s Founding Fathers, Jonathon Edwards put into plain words what is meant by “affections”. May I share his words with you? The anticipation of the joy of heaven raises minds to heavenly bliss, and fills us with the light of God’s glory, making us shine with the expression of that glory. Loving God demands obedience to Him in every aspect of our lives, and calling others to obedience – whether that message is popular or not. To confess faith in God is therefore to live a life that is governed by godly emotions, such as the fear and reverence of God, repentant sorrow over sin, joy in God’s steadfast love, and love towards one’s neighbor. With this meditation in mind I propose the following statement: True religion , in large part, consists of holy affections.

What is meant by “the affections”? My answer to this question is the affections are the more vigorous and practical exercises of the inclination and will of the soul. God has endowed the soul with two facilities. One is capable of perception and speculation so that it can discern, see, and judge things. This is called “the understand”. The other facility is that by which the soul does not merely perceive and view things, but is in some way inclined towards the things it views or considers. It is either inclined to them or is disinclined and averse from them. The soul, because of this facility, does not want to see things as an indifferently, unaffected spectator. It either likes or dislikes, is pleased or is displeased, approves or rejects. This facility is called “inclination”. When it determines and governs the actions, inclination is called “the will”. When the mind is related to these actions, inclination is often called “the heart”. Inclination is exercised in two forms. The soul either views things with approval, with pleasure, and with acceptance, or it views things with opposition, with disapproval, with displeasure, and with rejection.
These exercises of the inclination and will of the soul have various intensities. Some are almost completely indifferent. But there are other degrees where approbation or dislike, pleasure or aversion are stronger. When the soul reacts vigorously and strongly, the exercise is still more intense. Indeed, because the Creator has bonded body and soul together, even the physical life can be affected by such emotions. Through all cultures and times this facility has been call “the heart”. These are those vigorous and sensible exercises of the facility that we call “the affections”.

Our Maker, Lord God, created us wired as a triune human individual, in His image, with body, soul and spirit, that we may perceive, discern and judge that which is good and bad, right or wrong, pleasant or unpleasant, acceptable or to reject, based on the standards of His perfect Word, Will and Way, as we walk in His purposes for our life on this pilgrimage towards heaven. May we, this side of glory, continue to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the ways of our Creator and act in godliness, holiness and righteousness in the family, friends, community, nation and society with the knowledge and wisdom from above to affect our culture for His honor and praise. Amen

From the beautiful Pacific Ocean between Costa Rica And Panama via satellite.
In Christ, Brian

2 comments:

Unknown said...

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Brian Ray Todd said...

Thank you FishHawk for your support and it is my prayer that many gain a deeper understanding of the Lord and that their faith may grow and be strengthened in their walk with praise and glory to God & our Savior Jesus Christ.
Brian