September 20, 2018 - - Proverbs 20:27 - - What motivates you?

The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man;

it searches out his inmost being.

Proverbs 20:27 NIV

What happens if a good man, who has never heard the Good News about Jesus, dies? Surely a good man should not fear death and hell.

There is no one who is good. The proverb quoted above shows how the Spirit of the LORD searches out the deepest things of the heart of every person.

Here are the words of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XVI.VII

Works done by unregenerate men, although, for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others; yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the word; nor to a right end, the glory of God; they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God. And yet their neglect of them is more sinful, and displeasing unto God.

unregenerate: those not showing repentance, turning from sin and turning to God

meet: old term meaning "fit"

When the brilliant light of Jesus shines, it exposes our every motive, our every concealed thought and our every deed. The lamp of the LORD reveals how we are serving ourselves, rather than God. Unless the Spirit of God takes hold of the heart and cleanses the inmost person, one does not serve God in every deed, cannot aim to glorify Him in every action, nor acts out of right motives.

Thanks be to God, that in Christ Jesus our LORD, our hearts are changed. As we confess our sins, the Father is faithful and just, He cleanses our hearts from all unrighteousness. Thanks be to God, that those who recognize they are sinful, are transformed so that the Spirit changes the heart and mind, fitting them for service to the glory of God. Therefore as Christians we must go out and preach good news, the truth of Jesus, to all the world. So that hearts and lives will be changed for the glory of God and ruined sinners will be snatched from the teeth of hell by the great blessings which are found in Christ alone.

Purify my heart, God my Father. As the Spirit shines the lamp of Jesus' perfections and grace into every corner of my heart, my mind and my motives, let sin be exposed and scrubbed out by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Spirit of God, move me to speak with friends and family, neighbours near and far, of the Good News which is found in Jesus alone. All praise and glory, honour and power belong to You, Triune God, now and forever more. Amen.