The Heart of God...In Man

Take a look at the items above. Consider: just what exactly is an image?

The definitions are numerous. We’ve used the term so much that it can be stretched a zillion different directions.

Genesis 1:27 says, ”So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

According to the thesaurus, the word image is synonymous with a picture, representation, icon, figure, likeness, illustration, reflection, copy, impression, idea, vision, view, air, aura, appearance, look, persona, and ultimately, the way you are seen.

Now, as with any word, there are appropriate definitions which fit the subject and those which are inappropriate. For instance, are we to be icons of God? Cold statues reflecting what we consider to be his visual likeness? No, we are each called to be a “living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to him” (Romans 12:1).

But what about being the picture of godliness? Have you ever heard the phrase, “She’s a picture of beauty?” In other words, she is an embodiment of a concept. We are to be the embodiment of the concept of God.

Oft times we separate ourselves from the body of God and believe we are just a single soul that can reach for God when we feel like it and we feel no REAL connection to God or His holiness.

However, scripture calls us the fruit of the vine—the vine being Jesus. We are directly connected to Him.

We are also called the ‘ambassadors of Christ.’

What does an ambassador do?

Essentially, the ambassador travels to a different nation from that he is representing. I know many times that I have wished life could be simpler. I used to imagine as a young girl that we could build a city just for Apostolic Pentecostals, where no one would tease you for being different or persecute you for living a holy life.

However, an ambassador travels outside his comfort zone and even beyond the protection of the church’s four walls! It is the nature of who we are!

The ambassador, transporting himself to this foreign nation, then has the added duty of representing his king, his monarch, or his political leader, expressing the desires of the leader.

In other words, we are the representatives of that heavenly kingdom to the people on earth.

We are not going to be able to melt into the native population and not be noticed. Not only are we different but we are called to be different!

”Come out from among them and be ye separate, sayeth the Lord,” (II Corinthians 6:17).

We are called to walk a different walk than the natives, but at the same time, we are to approach them with the business of our country, heaven.

Now, we all know that you can be a representative of the President of the United States without looking like him, but in this spiritual kingdom, we are even supposed to take on the likeness of God.

Scripture says that “no man hath seen God” so how do we mold ourselves into his likeness if we cannot see him?

Likeness, in this sense, deals with the inner man and the actions resulting from the changes in that inner man. We are, for all intents and purposes, to adopt the heart of God.

In every venture, we should adopt the passion of God, the vision of God, and the dedication God has toward souls and his kingdom!

** God’s passion? That souls be won for the kingdom.

** God’s vision? That none should perish but all should have everlasting life!

** God’s dedication? He stops at nothing to ensure that every soul has a chance; He loves unfailingly, even to the death!

Now, we might argue that only God knows the heart. This is certainly and biblically true. However, there are three ways that we can judge the heart to see if it is in alignment with God!

Yes, we can measure our heart! We all know the story of Job; his trials were incredibly difficult. Scripture tells us that God “left him to try him that he might know all that was in his heart.”

My question: That who should know his heart?

God? Hardly! John 2:25 tells us that God ”needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”

So, who needed to be shown the inside of Job’s heart? Job did!

Just as gold tried in the fire, we learn who we really are when we are facing the storm. It’s not for God to know; He already knows. It’s not for others to know; it’s not really their business. It’s for us to know where we are so that we can grow further in God!

If God tries the reigns of the heart to reveal what is in our heart, what should he find in a child of God?

Luke 6:43-45 says, ”For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit: neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit . . . A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.”

Our actions will tell what is in our heart! Our actions and words flow out of the “abundance of the heart” (Matthew 12:34).

Take a look at the items above. Consider: just what exactly is an image?

The definitions are numerous. We’ve used the term so much that it can be stretched a zillion different directions.

Genesis 1:27 says, ”So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

According to the thesaurus, the word image is synonymous with a picture, representation, icon, figure, likeness, illustration, reflection, copy, impression, idea, vision, view, air, aura, appearance, look, persona, and ultimately, the way you are seen.

Now, as with any word, there are appropriate definitions which fit the subject and those which are inappropriate. For instance, are we to be icons of God? Cold statues reflecting what we consider to be his visual likeness? No, we are each called to be a “living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to him” (Romans 12:1).

But what about being the picture of godliness? Have you ever heard the phrase, “She’s a picture of beauty?” In other words, she is an embodiment of a concept. We are to be the embodiment of the concept of God.

Oft times we separate ourselves from the body of God and believe we are just a single soul that can reach for God when we feel like it and we feel no REAL connection to God or His holiness.

However, scripture calls us the fruit of the vine—the vine being Jesus. We are directly connected to Him.

We are also called the ‘ambassadors of Christ.’

What does an ambassador do?

Essentially, the ambassador travels to a different nation from that he is representing. I know many times that I have wished life could be simpler. I used to imagine as a young girl that we could build a city just for Apostolic Pentecostals, where no one would tease you for being different or persecute you for living a holy life.

However, an ambassador travels outside his comfort zone and even beyond the protection of the church’s four walls! It is the nature of who we are!

The ambassador, transporting himself to this foreign nation, then has the added duty of representing his king, his monarch, or his political leader, expressing the desires of the leader.

In other words, we are the representatives of that heavenly kingdom to the people on earth.

We are not going to be able to melt into the native population and not be noticed. Not only are we different but we are called to be different!

”Come out from among them and be ye separate, sayeth the Lord,” (II Corinthians 6:17).

We are called to walk a different walk than the natives, but at the same time, we are to approach them with the business of our country, heaven.

Now, we all know that you can be a representative of the President of the United States without looking like him, but in this spiritual kingdom, we are even supposed to take on the likeness of God.

Scripture says that “no man hath seen God” so how do we mold ourselves into his likeness if we cannot see him?

Likeness, in this sense, deals with the inner man and the actions resulting from the changes in that inner man. We are, for all intents and purposes, to adopt the heart of God.

In every venture, we should adopt the passion of God, the vision of God, and the dedication God has toward souls and his kingdom!

** God’s passion? That souls be won for the kingdom.

** God’s vision? That none should perish but all should have everlasting life!

** God’s dedication? He stops at nothing to ensure that every soul has a chance; He loves unfailingly, even to the death!

Now, we might argue that only God knows the heart. This is certainly and biblically true. However, there are three ways that we can judge the heart to see if it is in alignment with God!

Yes, we can measure our heart! We all know the story of Job; his trials were incredibly difficult. Scripture tells us that God “left him to try him that he might know all that was in his heart.”

My question: That who should know his heart?

God? Hardly! John 2:25 tells us that God ”needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”

So, who needed to be shown the inside of Job’s heart? Job did!

Just as gold tried in the fire, we learn who we really are when we are facing the storm. It’s not for God to know; He already knows. It’s not for others to know; it’s not really their business. It’s for us to know where we are so that we can grow further in God!

If God tries the reigns of the heart to reveal what is in our heart, what should he find in a child of God?

Luke 6:43-45 says, ”For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit: neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit . . . A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good.”

Our actions will tell what is in our heart! Our actions and words flow out of the “abundance of the heart” (Matthew 12:34).

HEART CONTENT TEST
STEP ONE: Your ActionsThink back. Can you find one incidence where you demonstrated that you were completely sold out to Jesus—no matter the consequences?

Elisha could testify to such an occurrence. Elisha, the successor to Elijah, was so determined to follow God’s plan when asked to accompany Elijah that he left his plow so that he would not turn back!

You must understand that in those times, plows were not ready and waiting to be purchased at Wal-Mart! They had to be built by one’s own two hands and it was quite a process! The plow was a very important tool because it fed the man and his family.

But Elisha left it because when things got tough in his walk with God, he didn’t want the option of returning to a life without God’s anointing.

Many of us lack the heart of God. Jesus gave his life on Calvary; he surrendered it all for His divine purposes. He let nothing stand in His way.

Some of us are still clinging to parts of our old life before Jesus just in case this holiness thing doesn’t work out!

I’m telling you that to prove yourself as the image of the invisible God, you must lay aside “every sin and the weight that doth so easily beset you and run with patience the race that is set before you” ().

What is sin? Quite simply, there isn’t a list posted on the church wall of do’s and don’ts. Sin is anything described in scripture as being unholy, unseemly, or abomination to the Lord. It is anything prescribed against, including some standards of holiness that many churches no longer preach. Trust me, if it’s in the Word of God, it matters!

Furthermore, anything that causes another person to sin is sin to you! For instance, wearing something that causes a member of the opposite sex to lust or fall into adultery is sinful, even if you’re not the one acting upon the lust!

Weight and sin are two different things. Notice the scripture: the and acts as a hinge between two subjects, revealing that they are two different things entirely. So, what is a weight?

A weight is quite simply something that is not a sin but that stands between you and God. It is something that deflects you from performing His Will in your life. You see, the definition of ‘weight’ is different for different people. If you can’t make it to church and your family is being destroyed due to your time-consuming passion for bowling, then this harmless activity has become a weight to you. It may be perfectly harmless for another person though!

What are we to do with sins andweights? We are commanded to lay them aside!

It is important that we not be so consumed with Our Ways but must instead come to know and live God’s Ways!

I know that as I’ve aged, I have a certain way of doing things. I stack the dishes a particular way; I organize my daily routine in a certain manner. But, there is a time when we must humble ourselves and ask the Master how he would have us to act!

For example, let’s look at the people of Israel when they were freed from Egyptian bondage:

Would you say they saw the mighty hand of God at work? They saw plagues that brought their taskmasters to their knees in grief; they witnessed the opening of the Red Sea upon command; they drank water from a rock; they were fed with manna sent from heaven.

But did they understand the way of God? Did they understand that He was the only God or did they view Him as just one of many options? Consider how quickly they yearned for the way of Egypt with its thousands of gods and how quickly they turned to the golden calf without daily counsel from Moses! We might say they lacked a revelation!

Did they understand that God was true to His word? Quite simply, no. The twelve spies came back and the multitude believed the evil report that God could not bring them victory over Canaan!

Case in Point: They Saw God’s Works But Not His Ways!!!

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto men but death is the end thereof.”

Isaiah 55:9 states, “His ways are higher than our ways, his thoughts are higher than our thoughts.”

So, could the children of Israel be excused for their constant complaining, their distrust of God, and their unholy affections?

Still no. They died in the wilderness because they did not attempt to know the mind of God or understand the intentions of his heart!

We are commanded in Philippians 2:5, ”Let this mind be in you, that was also in Christ Jesus.”

We are to take on the mind of Christ or we will be no better than the Israelites, always witnessing the miraculous around us but living in a wilderness instead of the promised land because we won’t follow God’s plan for our lives!

Job captures the essence of our thought today in Job 24:1,
”Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?”

If we are supposedly in such a close relationship with God, why cannot we see or understand His timing? Because we’ve lost the mind and heart of God.

Job continues in verse 2: ”Some remove the landmarks.”

This is a statement of why men no longer know the mind of God. It is because we have forgotten the steps we’ve made in God.

Instead of remembering that cursing is a sin and remembering the day God convicted our hearts about it, we set it aside out of our memory. We return like a pig to our mire, like a dog to our vomit; we return to the refuse of our life before Jesus redeemed us! We forget the blessing of God and how he has proven faithful in his own time if we will submit and obey!

Of these people, Job wrote in verse 13, ”They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.”

Many people say that they put every bit of their past behind them and just live day to day, but scripturally you are to remember the old paths” (). In essence, we are to renew our first love relationship with the Lord. We can’t do that when we decide that the convictions He once gave us no longer matter.

When you’re in love with someone, there are times when you reminisce about your first kiss, your first phone call, your first date, even your first fight!

We are to remember our landmarks and be guided by the wisdom found therein. It is then that our actions will bespeak our hearts and prove us to be in the image of our Father.

HEART CONTENT TEST
STEP TWO: Your Words

An old adage says that “Actions speak louder than words.” However, scripturally, the mouth is a very important indicator of the heart’s condition, which in turn leads to our actions!

What we say will always betray what is inside our heart and what actions will eventually result.

Matthew 12:34 states that “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.”

Proverbs 12:17-20 enlightens us, ”He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There is that speaketh like the piercing of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy.”

I challenge you this week to pay attention to your actions and to your words; then play detective. Just what dothey say about your heart?

Do you have the heart of God?

Being in the likeness of God means many things:

** It means being willing to lay down your life that another can be saved. This is not always indicative of physical death. Are you willing to let go of your reputation in the world to help someone considered below you in their station of life or are you holding to your own kingdom and letting the lost die? Are you willing to let go of worldly pleasures so that you can reach a lost world that needs a witness?

** Being in the likeness of God means knowing that other people will fail you just as the Israelites spat upon Jesus, but having the dedication and the anointing to love them anyway. Jesus looked ahead in time and knew the individuals that would betray and mock him. But, he loved them, healed them, and still died for their sins! He placed no conditions on His love. Can you say the same?

** Being in the likeness of God means stepping out in faith when reason forbids us to follow God’s direction. I always like to think of Peter’s experience, stepping out on the water under the command of the Lord. He stepped out onto something that was—in his mind—unstable, unpredictable, and uncomfortable. This was truly the breaking point of faith. I pure illustration of real trust in God!

We, likewise, are to step out into the field of souls. The world is an unstable, unpredictable, and sometimes uncomfortable place. We seldom have a guarantee of how we will be received, but we must reach that breaking point of faith, laying aside anything from our past or current desires that could hinder our walk with God. We must take that leap of faith!

Our being able to accomplish these things and to put on the mind of Christ depends upon our relationship with God.

In our carnal minds, we see past martyrs and sometimes ourselves as needing physical armor, but God has provided spiritual armor if we will use it! Our armor is described in Ephesians 6; it is indeed worthless, however, if we don’t know how to use it and if it is not anointed with prayer!

You see, Goliath, David’s opponent, had every piece of armor available during that time period but he lacked prayer, a relationship with God! That was the deciding vote!

If you want to have the mind of Christ, you must communicate with Him. We must have a teachable spirit, which can be a humbling experience. But, just consider whose image we aspire to become. It’s a big leap so we have much to learn!

Philippians 2:5-15 compels us:

”Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (We are to humble ourselves even to the point of servant hood!)

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Ours is a spiritual death to self but is no less important!)

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (We, likewise, will be exalted when we abase ourselves and we have been given a name above every name through baptism as the name of Jesus is pronounced over us!)

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Salvation is something no one can attain for you; you must humble yourself before He will fill you with His Spirit!)

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

We must assure that our light is not fragmented! We are to show forth His praises clearly and brilliantly.
For our light may be the only testimony of God that the lost around us will ever see!

Believe me, the contents of our heart are a very visual element as they are played out through our words and our actions! Let us ensure that it is the heart of God that beats within us!