Chapter 11: God’s Eternal Character

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Mankind’s nature runs endlessly on a sin treadmill never making any spiritual progress without intervention. That is because our inherent desire to sin does not change without us first getting a change of heart. Man’s sin might seem comical to God if it weren’t so sad. He probably says: “There

they go again.” What does alter our self-serving evil nature? It is the Spirit of God that sets us on the new path of rejecting sin at every turn in life. That Spirit is also one of the gifts of Jesus Christ. To activate it spiritually with Jesus requires a new and changed heart from us. We must acknowledge the truth of God and our sinful ways. This involves repentance [stop doing evil

deeds]. Righteousness is then evidence of our “rebirth” and new motives. Indeed, that is how we get “reborn” in the spiritual sense as Christ taught.

“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the

Lord weighs the spirits.” Proverbs 16:2

“People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.” Proverbs 16:2 NLT

“I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10

“For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to

please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.” 1 Thess. 2:4 NLT

To Change Motives Requires A Changed Heart!

“If you claim Christ’s salvation, you better have a new heart as shown by righteous behavior or it doesn’t count with God!” The Apostle Edward

Why would I say that? Is it anything different than what the Apostle James taught? What do we know that you don’t? It gets back to knowledge of God’s character and the words He spoke to Ezekiel. Listen to the Word.