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the engagement of the heart. deut.10.12-22. holy affection. If we are not earnest in our faith, and if our wills and inclinations are not strongly exercised, we are nothing.
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the engagement ofthe heart deut.10.12-22
holy affection • If we are not earnest in our faith, and if our wills and inclinations are not strongly exercised, we are nothing. • True faith is called “the power of godliness,” in contrast to externals. (“Having the appearance of godliness but denying the power of it” 2 Tim. 1.7).
the exercising of the will • “Babes” in Christ—our inclination to engage is weak. • The power will give us strength enough to overcome our weak inclinations so that these holy exercises will prevail over our weaknesses. • A true disciple loves Jesus above father, mother, wife, brother, sister, children, houses, land, and above his own life! • The exercising of the will is nothing other than the affections of the soul.
spring of action • We are inactive unless influenced by affection: love or hatred, desire, hope, fear, etc. (i.e. covetousness moves a person to seek worldly profits; lust moves people to pursue sensual delights). • Just as worldly affections spring worldly actions, so religious affections are the spring of religious actions.
a heart deeply affected • A person who has a knowledge of doctrine and theology only—without religious/faith affection—has never engaged in true faith. • People hear the Word of God and great truths, yet all they hear has no effect and makes no change in the way they live. • No one is changed by doctrine, hearing the Word, preaching or teaching of another, unless the affections are moved by these things.
participation in the blessings • Love is just as important as hatred. (“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” Prov. 8.13). • Holy desire is a longing and thirst for God. • “As the deer pants after the watering stream, so my soul pants after you, O Lord.” Ps. 42.1-2 • “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Mt. 5.6 • “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart.” Ps. 37.4
missing from the lukewarm • Be zealous! • “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2.14 • It was missing from the Laodiceans in Rev. 3.25-26.
aftermath • What’s the motivation behind what you do? • Examine what you do this week. • Make a list of what God has done for you. • WORSHIP • Study doctrine