Michael continues that it's easy to deceive ourselves that we know more than others. To approach the throne of God's grace, we must come to Him with a broken and a contrite heart of meekness and humility. The right attitude is to pray that God will send someone into our lives to rebuke and reprove us, when we are ignorant or wrong. The Word of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, and correction. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly perfected unto all good works. Whom the lord loves, he chastises. The goal: to correct is to restore to an upright position.
The Apostle Peter thought that he could serve Jesus in his own power. However, Jesus knew Peter's heart. He said, "before the cock crows twice, you shall deny me three times." Peter's heart had to be broken so that God could heal his heart. A broken and a contrite heart God will not forsake.He will break our heart for what breaks his in order to make our hearts malleable and conformable to his will.
The Apostle Paul said, “I buffet my body to bring it unto submission to my Lord. You are slaves to whom you obey: either the lust of the flesh or the spirit of life in Christ.” It's a miracle when a man humbles himself and asks for forgiveness of those he's wronged and before God. A heart of humility asks," Is there anything in my life that you would change if you could?" The second question is. "How can I help you?" This is the servant's heart of humility and meekness.
Jesus knew what was in the heart of a man. The false prophet in Matthew 7:21-23asked Jesus, "Didn't we perform miracles and cast out Devils in your name?" Jesus' response was, "I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” The key to keep your heart with all diligence is in Psalm 1. According to this Psalm, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law does he meditate day and night ... and he shall be like a tree that is planted by the rivers of waters that brings forth his fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not wither and whatsoever he does shall prosper.” The question is not "Do I know him," but rather, "Does he know me." Jesus said, "my sheep hear my voice and they know me and I know them. They follow me for I give them everlasting life."
The miracles that the false prophets did were similar to the miracles that Jesus did. Jesus' miracles, signs and wonders made the false prophets want to kill him because he was stealing their thunder. They wanted to glorify themselves with their mighty works.
Category three is those who respond to the gospel by thinking they're saved by their own good works. They are works based and not grace based. If you put people under works then you can control them. The subtle message is, you're condemned if you don't perform. However, the basis of grace is God's mercy and forgiveness through the price Jesus Christ paid on our behalf at Calvary's cross. Jesus said, blessed are the pure in heart and blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are the meek, those who acknowledge that their sufficiency and their salvation is only in the Lord.
Category fouris those who know that they know that they are saved. The spirit of Christ bears witness with their spirit that they are sons of God.Turn from their own sinful nature in repentance and to the Lord Jesus Christ. They have accepted the free gift of salvation and eternal life by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the grace of God, not of works lest any man should boast.
“Ministry” is doing the right thing to please God and not ourselves or others, for we do it in Christ’s name. To enter category four, we must believe that Jesus is our Savior and Lord and that God has raised Him from the dead. Confession unto salvation starts with a broken and a contrite heart of repentance. Repentance means to turn from making myself Lord to making Jesus Lord. It starts with acknowledging "I have found the enemy and he is me." The truth is that there is a God, and He is not me. Living the gospel message is to live to the praise of the glory of His grace for He has made us acceptable in the beloved. Whether this is that good news or bad news on who is your God.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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