A Heart For God

What is a heart for God... how does it get "right"... and what is a "right" heart?

You know, Jesus taught that the most important thing for man to be concerned about is LOVE (Matt 22:34-40). When asked, of all the commandments, "which was the greatest"... "Love God", was His reply.

There is an interesting conversation in John 21, verses 15-17. In trying to bring Peter into an understanding of a particular fruit that he needed to bear, Jesus asks Simon Peter... "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."

He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."

If we look at the passage in the original Greek, it does make an important difference. There are two different words translated as 'LOVE' in this passage. Let's simply put the two original Greek words in place of the English words in the same 3 verses above. Notice the changes:

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you agapao Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I phileo You."

He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you agapao Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I phileo You."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you phileo Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I phileo You."

You will see how differently these verses appear now, with the two Greek Words inserted for the Word "Love". Now let's look at the Greek definitions of these two words:

Agapao - This is a very special and deep kind of love. It means to love dearly.

Phileo - This is a friendly kind of affection. In Strong's Exhaustive Concordance it states the difference between agapao and phileo is that agapao is more of a heart love and phileo is more of a head love.

Now read the verses again. You will see what I am talking about:

Jesus asks Peter, "Do you LOVE me more than these?" Peter says, 'yeah I like you Lord.'

The second time, Jesus simply asks, "Do you LOVE me?" Notice that Jesus lessens the level of love. Sigh... Peter still cowers and only responds... 'yeah I like you Lord.'

Finally, Jesus asks, 'Peter...do you like me?' And Peter agrees.

Some refer to this passage as the Lord allowing the Apostle Peter to redeem himself after denying Him three times prior to the crucifixion. I don't see it that way. We see that Peter was still too prideful to admit before other men that he had a special kind of love for Jesus.

The church is quick to lead many Christians into all kinds of important things to do for God... Yet, Jesus says the greatest, most important thing is to Love The Lord.

It is true, that most common behaviors that keep us from victory are things like: pride, impatience, and insecurity, but I want us to look underneath these problems at the root issue... the thing that these problems grow out of... the soil, so-to-speak... actually, our heart. This brings us to "our love for God" and for one another! Jesus never mentions Peter's pride, but instead cuts right to the "heart" of the problem... do you Love Me?

Now, I don't want to turn this into a study of ways to show God that we Love Him... Jesus was not asking Peter if he loved Him... like, He didn't already know the answer. No! Too many times, the bible says things like: And Jesus, knowing their hearts... or Jesus, seeing that their hearts were away from Him... etc. So, this study should be about us examining the measure of our love for Our Lord. It's time to search ourselves as to how much we really love God... He already knows.

If we look at some of the problems we experience which hinder our spiritual victory, as they relate to the condition (or measure) of our "heart for God", we can discover if it is "right" or not.

Pride - What does pride say about our love for God? There is a difference between the kind of pride that God hates (Proverbs 8:13) and the kind of pride we feel about a job well done. The kind of pride that stems from self-righteousness is sin, and God hates it because it is a hindrance to seeking Him.

Psalm 10:4 explains that the proud are so consumed with themselves that their thoughts are far from God: "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." This kind of haughty pride is the opposite of the spirit of humility that God seeks: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). The "poor in spirit" are those who recognize their utter spiritual bankruptcy and their inability to come to God aside from His divine grace. The proud, on the other hand, are so blinded by their pride that they think they have no need of God or, worse, that God should accept them as they are because they deserve His acceptance.

Throughout Scripture we are told about the consequences of pride. Proverbs 16:18-19 tells us that "pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." Satan was cast out of heaven because of pride (Isaiah 14:12-15). He had the selfish audacity to attempt to replace God Himself as the rightful ruler of the universe. But Satan will be cast down to hell in the final judgment of God. For those who rise up in defiance against God, there is nothing ahead but disaster (Isaiah 14:22).

Pride has kept many people from accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Admitting sin and acknowledging that in our own strength we can do nothing to inherit eternal life is a constant stumbling block for prideful people. We are not to boast about ourselves; if we want to boast, then we are to proclaim the glories of God. What we say about ourselves means nothing in God's work. It is what God says about us that makes the difference (2 Corinthians 10:13).

Why is pride so sinful? Pride is giving ourselves the credit for something that God has accomplished. Pride is taking the glory that belongs to God alone and keeping it for ourselves. Pride is essentially self-worship. Anything we accomplish in this world would not have been possible were it not for God enabling and sustaining us. "What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" (1 Corinthians 4:7). That is why we give God the glory... for, He alone deserves it. (Ecc 7:8) patience is better than pride.

Impatience - What does impatience say about our love for God? When everything is going our way, patience is easy to demonstrate. The true test of patience comes when our rights are violated... when another car cuts us off in traffic; when we are treated unfairly; when our coworker derides our faith, again. Some people think they have a right to get upset in the face of irritations and trials. Impatience seems like a holy anger. The Bible, however, praises patience as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) which should be produced for all followers of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Patience reveals our faith in God's timing, omnipotence, and love.

Although most people consider patience to be a passive waiting or gentle tolerance, most of the Greek words translated "patience" in the New Testament are active, robust words. Consider Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (NKJV). Does one run a race by passively waiting for slow-pokes or gently tolerating cheaters? Certainly not! The word translated "patience" in this verse means "endurance." A Christian runs the race patiently by persevering through difficulties. In the Bible, patience is persevering towards a goal, enduring trials, or expectantly waiting for a promise to be fulfilled.

Patience comes from a confidence in Gods' love for us and returning that love to Him in the expression of trust. Colossians 1:11 tells us that we are strengthened by Him to "great endurance and patience," while James 1:3-4 encourages us to know that trials are His way of perfecting our patience. Our patience is further developed and strengthened by resting in God's perfect will and timing, even in the face of evil men who "succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes" (Psalm 37:7). Our patience is rewarded in the end "because the Lord's coming is near" (James 5:7-8). "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him" (Lamentations 3:25).

We find many examples in the bible of those whose patience characterized their walk with God. James points us to the prophets "as an example of patience in the face of suffering" (James 5:10). He also refers to Job, whose perseverance was rewarded by what the "Lord finally brought about" (James 5:11). Abraham, too, waited patiently and "received what was promised" (Hebrews 6:15). Jesus is our model in all things, and He demonstrated patient endurance: "Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).

How do we display the patience that is characteristic of Christ? First, we thank God. A person's first reaction is usually "Why me?", but the Bible says to rejoice in God's will (Philippians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:6). Second, we seek His purposes. Sometimes God puts us in difficult situations so that we can be a witness. Other times, He might allow a trial for sanctification of character. Remembering that His purpose is for our growth and His glory will help us in the trial. Third, we remember His promises such as Romans 8:28, which tells us that "all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." The "all things" include the things that try our patience.

The next time you are in a traffic jam, betrayed by a friend, or mocked for your testimony, how will you respond? The natural response is impatience which leads to stress, anger, and frustration. Praise God that, as Christians, we are no longer in bondage to a "natural response" because we are new creations in Christ Himself (2 Corinthians 5:17). Instead, we have the Lord's strength to respond with patience and in complete trust in the Father's power and purpose. "To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life" (Romans 2:7).

Do you want spiritual victory in your life? Focus on the most important question you can ask of yourself... Do I agapao You, Lord? A heart that is "right" for God consistently keeps this question close... adds it to every situation... every experience. There are a multitude of problems that we will endure and for every one, we must consider our feelings in light of "what do they reveal to Christ in relation to how much we love Him. We must consider the way we respond to trials in light of "how does this reveal to Christ the measure of love we truly have for Him. Is my heart right for God?

Friends, there is much more from Gods' Word to share with you relating to the condition of our hearts in our next study. Until then, let's prayerfully examine our problems, our thought-life, habits, relations, and all that we do as they relate to our love for God. He can only help us with those things that we acknowledge, repent from, and surrender to Him... and He is more than able. Amen?

I love you.