Scripture of The Day
Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (Hebrews 13:9
What exactly does the scripture mean when it talks about an established heart? It means to be stable, firm, sure, and steadfast. How does the scripture tell us to achieve this established heart? It is with Grace!
One of the saddest things we have seen over the years is to watch new Christians being drawn into a church that preaches a legalistic doctrine that promotes a works theology. The scripture plainly states that we are saved by grace and not by works:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, least any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
There is a huge difference between trying to establish your heart on works versus grace. Works is like shifting sand. You never know when you have done enough or even if you have done the right things. The target is always moving and it is impossible to meet the high expectations of any type of work related doctrine. You consistently set yourself up for condemnation and accusations from the enemy and man. Because of that, your heart is always unstable and unsure.
In comparison, grace is a gift that was settled on the cross when Jesus said, “It is finished.” There is nothing you have to do except receive it by faith. The more you realize the power and simplicity of grace, and receive it in your heart, the more stable your heart becomes. For some people that is very hard to do because we were all raised in a world that is works oriented. Nothing in this world is free. You have to work for everything. So there must be something we have to do to earn our ticket into Heaven. That argument is the very type of strange doctrine that destabilizes your heart.
I will never forget a young lady that gave her life to the Lord at one of our meetings in Tennessee. She was so happy and so free for weeks. She stopped going to our church and we lost track of her for months because she actually lived in another state. When we finally did connect with her, many months later, we found out she had been placed in a psychiatric ward. The bottom line was that she had started attending a hardline works oriented church and she just could not live up to the standards they were preaching, regardless of how hard she tried. As a result, she had a mental breakdown trying.
None of us can live up to those type standards. That is why Jesus had to come. That is why Jesus died on a cross for you and I. It is finished! When Jesus sets you free you are free indeed! Receive that! Rest in that! Be established in that! It will stabilize and establish your heart.
