Chapter 7: Choices From The Heart
Page 25
It can certainly feel like we go up and down in life. Every time we
make a negative or sinful life choice, we move down towards Satan. Every time we make a positive or righteous choice, we move up towards God. The above illustration shows how we can walk a non-perfect narrow walk with God. First, we have to enter in by the narrow gate [Jesus Christ’s spirit].
The narrow gate [Jesus] leads you into the narrow way [righteousness] and this is the realm of faith located above the minimum righteousness requirement [wherever that line is defined by God]. We might bob up and down a little. Every time we stumble and go negative, we repent with God
immediately thereby keeping a very short list of sins with God. Immediate repentance also keeps our conscious clear.
In the preceding illustration, when we are very close to God, we are
simply at the upper line [highest point] of the defined faith zone. Think of it as being constantly in God’s presence and always making righteous choices from the heart. The minimum righteousness line can then be thought of as a point of being very aware of the world that we live in and somewhat distant
from God’s Holiness.
When we cross the minimum righteousness standard and move in a downward direction, we start to become friends with the world. The Bible
teaches us that if we are friends with the world, we are at enmity with God. When we stay above the minimum righteousness line, we are Heaven bound and very righteousness aware. We are no longer spiritual babies that wander around in the wide path of destruction as was previously defined.
At all times there exists a “thought-life” that comes from our heart as Jesus indicated in Mark 7:20-23. Our thoughts are very important and God has provided further instructions to help guide our thought-life.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure
and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philip. 4:8 NLT
Copyright 2005 Edward G. Palmer, All Rights Reserved. Book of Edward—Chapter 7