The Christian’s Heart and Flesh
The Christian’s Heart and Flesh
10/1 Reading Portions: 1 Kings 3; Ephesians 1; Ezekiel 34; Psalms 83-84
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
10/1 Reading Portions: 1 Kings 3; Ephesians 1; Ezekiel 34; Psalms 83-84
Psalm 84:2
…my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
JOY
I have long preached:
“Grace that does not transform our lives is not biblical grace.”
Likewise, faith unexpressed with evidence of the Spirit’s fruit, viz., love, joy, peace, patience, etc. (Gal 5:22-23), is not biblical, saving faith. The psalmist expresses this truth here. His flesh sings for joy to the living God because his heart sings for joy to the living God. The apostle expresses the same truth:
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:10
Likewise, the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ articulates the same truth:
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17
Surely, there are times when our flesh is weak, tired, lazy, even rebellious; yet this is not the norm for the child of God in Christ. Generally speaking, not only does the soul saved by grace have a desire to serve the living God, but we also “delight to do [His] will” because His “law is within [our] heart[s]” (Psa 40:8). As we are not like the “Lord, Lord” crowd who are full of heartless works (Matt 7:21-23), we are also not lifeless believers and silent witnesses who believe through and through yet have no fruitful evidence to manifest— like the devils who know who Christ is, have seen Him, and do believe He is who He says He is, yet they tremble in abject fear (Jas 2:19). When my heart overflows with a pleasing theme (Psa 45:1), my flesh proclaims the glories of Christ. When my heart meditates upon heavenly understanding, the mouth of my flesh will speak of God’s wisdom (Psa 49:3). When my heart is filled with God’s Word, sin has a difficult time anchoring to my flesh (Psa 119:11). If my heart is sincere and obedient to Christ, my flesh will obey my earthly employers as unto Christ (Eph 6:5). Today, however, this very moment, let our hearts meditate upon Christ Jesus, and let our flesh sing for joy to the resurrected and living God. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
My thirsty soul longs with passion,
Yes, faints, to see Your courts;
My heart and flesh sing out with joy
For all grace does import.