Are You Your Own God?

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

All we have, all we have been give, and all we will grow that is mighty and beautiful or good comes from God, lest we forget. All through scripture, time and time again, the downfall of man is not the sin acts we commit but the pride and arrogance of our hearts, believing the gifts we have been given are of our own making. Peter denied Christ three times, was forgiven and went in to lead a church. Saul, persecuted of Christ followers, went on to convert and witness to the gentiles and write most of our New Testament. David succumbed to his desire for Bathsheeba but still had a heart for God. It is when our heart believes it is it’s own god that things turn south. That is more than a lapse in judgement or a misstep. That is a heart issue and not so easy to walk away from. Thank God, as Christ followers, we have Jesus who took our sin and paid our debt so that there is the hope of reconciliation and a new heart. We do NOT have to face the same fate as the ruler of Tyre or Pharoh of Egypt, or the elders of Judah during the exile. All we have to do is lay it down (and yes, I know it’s easier said than done and it takes work). But Jesus is waiting. And there are open arms ready to receive and help with the work; the Holy Spirit is there ready. “For I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances.“ Ezekiel 36:26-27

Heart check: Who is ruler of your heart and motives today, God or You?