Page 32 - INWARD TRANSFORMATON - Tom Hendershot

INWARD TRANSFORMATION

WRITE THEM ON YOUR HEART

Paul told the new covenant believers to affirm the
Truth God had revealed. You cannot separate
affirmation from repetition and memorization. As we
repeat what God has said, it gets into our hearts and
minds in a more significant way. It brings renewal
and inward transformation. This system of affirming
the Truth was the method of learning for Israel, and
it still works. It is called “learning by heart.” It is how
they taught their children. They did not abandon
them to be instructed by the world-system. They
trained them in their homes and synagogues. They
affirmed the Truth about God constantly.
In the new covenant, this method works even more
remarkable because of the new birth and indwelling
of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit, it is a mere
religious activity and never balanced in its
interpretation or application. Religion is in our
heads. The Holy Spirit transforms us, spirit, soul,
and body.
Although it is found first in the law, this method
is not legalism. It is discipline. Without the Spirit’s
help it can quickly become legalism. It is work, and
it works. It is (a) good work. It can become merely
human work. So, we must guard ourselves against
that. It should become a part of our new covenant,
Spirit-empowered self-discipline (which is a fruit of
the Spirit). Discipleship requires effort on our part.
And God, by His indwelling Spirit, promises to bless
the Word we sow, hear and keep in our hearts. When
we do our part, He always does His part.
“ Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God. The Lord is
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one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your
might. These words, which I am commanding you
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today, shall be in your heart. You shall teach them
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diligently to your children and shall talk of them when
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