Maintaining The Heart

The heart is maintained through good works. Thtus 3:14 states, "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful." We know that in the kingdom of God fruit comes from the heart which determines the works done in the body. Jesus said that you shall know them by their fruits not their works. Many shall come to him and want to be recognized by their works but He will say, I never knew you, depart from me you that work iniquity. The works he is talking about were done in His name, healings etc. Jesus did not recognize their fruit. Their works were good but their hearts were evil, having no light in them. This is why Jesus said to take heed that the light that is in you be not darkness. His disciples are the light of the world.

James 1:25 tells us to continually be a doer of the work, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

James 1;23-24 tells us that a man that does not continue to do good works forgets the purpose to which he is called. "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgeteth what manner of man he was."

James is saying that if we do not continue to act on the word of God we will forget who we are and how God sees us. Acting on the Bible is the only way that we can be conformed into the image of Christ.

The book of Titus contains only forty-six verses, but they are some of the most vital in the entire Bible. They give very simple instructions on how to walk in this life in all areas. According to Titus 2:15 concerning good works we are to speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority, and let no man despise us.

According to Titus 1:15, good works determine the people that know. God. "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

Titus 1:1-2 tells us what stimulates good works. "Paul a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but hath in due times manifested his word through preaching..."

I John 2:15-17 states, "Love not the world, neither the things of the world, if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

And what is the will of God? John 6:40 states, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."

And what is the will of God? Titus 2;11-14 tells us that it is God's will for us to maintain good works and what they are. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Paul exhorts in Titus 3:8, ..."I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."

I Timothy 4:8 states, ..."but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation."

Jesus spoke these words concerning good works. "Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many shall say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name: and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Jesus called iniquity work. This is evil work. Godliness is also work. It is good work of which we must be careful to maintain that we be not unfruitful. In the above scripture Jesus is locating hearts. Out of good hearts come good things and out of evil hearts come evil things.

All outward actions should stem from the root of holiness and godliness that anchor the soul. It is our only sure and steadfast anchor. This is our hope. We are living our hope. Without godliness and holiness we have no hope. Hope will not leave us ashamed. When we exercise godliness and holiness in the earth we will hear Jesus say to us, "Well done thou good and faithful servant; not "I never knew thee, depart from me ye that work iniquity." I am trying to say in different ways so you will see it.

Holiness and godliness in our life is our assurance that we know God and that He abides in us. This is the love of God. Jesus said in John 15:21, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."`