Aug 19
4
I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the
Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the
church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this,
that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing
the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the
space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is
able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are
sanctified. I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.”
-Paul, an apostle
Act 20:27-33
Fear a Hardened Heart
The Lord asked the disciples in response to their lack of understanding, unbelief, and failure to remember what He had done, “Have ye your hearts yet hardened.” I fear a hardened heart! “Have ye” is active. Have you hardened your hearts? Hardened is passive. All God has to do to harden our hearts is let us alone! I fear being hardened toward the Gospel. I fear being hardened toward sin! If I am hardened it is my fault and it is the Lord leaving me to myself. Oh, for a heart softened by the Spirit of God! Oh, to not be left to myself but kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation!
Todd Nibert