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Having a Heart Right with God

By Larry Fuller

Everything depends on our heart being right with God. For example, Jesus taught that two people went down to pray. One man, a Pharisee was too full of himself, for he said, "I do this, I do that, I am glad I am not like this man," etc.. The other man, a publican, would not even look toward heaven and simply cried, "be merciful to me a sinner." Jesus said, whom do you suppose went home justified?

One thing we can have to make our hearts right with God is integrity in our actions. Even if it costs you physically, be consistent, honest and forthright in your actions. Webster's defines integrity as: The entire, unimpaired state of any thing, particularly of the mind; moral soundless or purity; incorruptness; honesty. Integrity comprises the whole moral character, but has a special reference to uprightness in mutual dealings, transfers of property, and agencies for others. American Heritage Dictionary defines integrity as 1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. 2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness. 3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness. I like the definition of "steadfast adherence to a moral or ethical code." If we have that and not waiver, we will go a long way to ensure that our heart is right with God.

When Job was tested severely, he lost everything including his children, his wife asked "do you still hold fast to your integrity, curse God and die!" Job was steadfast in his actions and did not sin with his lips, he held fast to his integrity, Job 2:3.

David was another example of having great integrity in all of his actions, and although he sinned periodically (like we do), he was known as a man who followed God's own heart. Having integrity in our actions and speech serves us very well. Notice what integrity can do:

“Even if it costs you physically, be consistent, honest and forthright in your actions.”


To sum up, we will walk according to integrity, and entrance into heaven demands it. We can't be fair weather Christians, for God will test us to see if our faith is genuine.

1 Peter 1:7-9, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of our faith - the salvation of your souls.

We need to have our hearts right with God, for Jesus places an urgency upon it. We don't know when fate will strike or the Lord is going to return. Jesus said it will be like a thief in the night, at an hour when you least expect it, and spent a great deal of time teaching about being ready. Having integrity in all our actions will prepare a heart that is right with God. It served David well, Job well, Paul well, and you too.


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Answering The Atheist

By William J. Stewart

Complaint:
How many disciples did Jesus appear to in his first post resurrection appearance, twelve (1 Corinthians 15:5), eleven (Matthew 28:16-17; Mark 16:14; Luke 24:33-37) or ten (John 20:24)? Is there a contradiction?

Response:
None of the above! Jesus was seen by one person in His first post-resurrection appearance, Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9; John 20:14-18). In fact, of the Scriptures supplied by the questioner, 1 Corinthians 15:5), Mark 16:14 and, Luke 24:33-37 all indicate that the Lord appeared to a number of people before appearing to His apostles.

As to the question of how many apostles were assembled together when Jesus appeared to them, the answer is ten. But why do Paul (1 Corinthians 15:5) and John (John 20:24) both use "twelve" when it is obvious that not all twelve apostles were there. Quite simply, their use of the number was not that of a head count, but a reference to a specific group of individuals - the apostles of Christ. Jesus chose twelve apostles (Matthew 10:1-5), and these twelve were with Him throughout His ministry.

John knew that Judas was dead at the time of Jesus' resurrection, and also, that Thomas was not gathered with the other apostles (since he himself was there), and yet used the word "twelve" to describe those who were gathered. In fact, Luke's account makes it clear that there were several others present also, as the disciples whom Jesus met on the Emmaus road "...found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together..." (Luke 24:33-37). It seems clear that the "twelve" ("eleven" in Luke's account) refers not to the number of individuals present, but to the office which they held, apostles.

It would appear that Mark and Luke use "eleven" in much the same way, excluding Judas, who was the betrayer.

Incidentally, the appearance to the "eleven" disciples recorded in Matthew 28:16-17 (in Galilee) is NOT the same as that which is recorded in Mark 16:14 or Luke 24:33-37 (in Jerusalem), as inferred by the questioner.

There is no contradiction.

This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible.