rather the secret inner person of the heart, the imperishable, the one of a meek and tranquil spirit, that which in the sight of God is precious.*
There is joy in heaven over a sinner that repents, a lost sheep that has been found, a prodigal son who returns. We have heard of such joy and know of such joy by experience, but do we know of this secret inner person of the heart that is precious in the eyes of God?
The word precious means very costly, very precious, of great value.* Let us look at what is of great value and why it is precious, in the eyes of God.
observing with respect the purity of your life....*
A pure heart is precious in the yes of God, it is beautiful to him. Beauty to God is that inward, and when the inward is consecrated, it will surely produce outward fruit that wins over people. A worldly woman uses external beauty, adorning jewelry and fine clothes, to win over a husband but the inner beauty of a godly woman is the purity of her life.* This inward beauty that would win over an unyoked husband speaks much to the preparation of a vessel for His use, even in regards to evangelism. It is the same heart desired of man, joint heirs with woman in the gift of life, when both have consecrated their hearts to the Lord, such in union is precious in the eyes of God.*
even as choosing us in Him before creation of the world to exist holy and in his presence in love.*
Precious in the eyes of God is a heart consecrated. Such a heart is of the imperishable, not like the perishable, the things of this world like clothes that moths eat, food that spoils, silver and gold that tarnish, and is not precious in the eyes of God, It is the imperishable, that which endures forever, this inward person that is precious in the eyes of God. This inner person speaks of that purposed of God in Christ, and that purposed in the Church, that we are being conformed to the image of His Son. This is the purpose of consecration, related to the purpose of godly discipline, that we share in His holy character. This purpose of God in Christ is according to the counsel of his will, in it is the manifestation of His will, vision, plan.*
so that the genuineness of your faith (precious over gold that perishes), proven by fire, may be found to your praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.*
Peter writes we are not to think trials as something strange. In fact as Paul writes the discipline of God is that we share in his holy character and if we are without discipline then we are illegitimate sons.* Though it is often painful it is profound wisdom to find peace and joy in the trial. But this is part of the outcome of godly discipline, peaceful fruit of righteousness.* Within the trial is a proving that produces maturity, so to submit during this suffering is to position your heart consecrated to God.
There is joy in heaven over a sinner that repents, a lost sheep that has been found, a prodigal son who returns. We have heard of such joy and know of such joy by experience, but do we know of this secret inner person of the heart that is precious in the eyes of God?The word precious means very costly, very precious, of great value.* Let us look at what is of great value and why it is precious, in the eyes of God.
observing with respect the purity of your life....*
A pure heart is precious in the yes of God, it is beautiful to him. Beauty to God is that inward, and when the inward is consecrated, it will surely produce outward fruit that wins over people. A worldly woman uses external beauty, adorning jewelry and fine clothes, to win over a husband but the inner beauty of a godly woman is the purity of her life.* This inward beauty that would win over an unyoked husband speaks much to the preparation of a vessel for His use, even in regards to evangelism. It is the same heart desired of man, joint heirs with woman in the gift of life, when both have consecrated their hearts to the Lord, such in union is precious in the eyes of God.*
even as choosing us in Him before creation of the world to exist holy and in his presence in love.*
Precious in the eyes of God is a heart consecrated. Such a heart is of the imperishable, not like the perishable, the things of this world like clothes that moths eat, food that spoils, silver and gold that tarnish, and is not precious in the eyes of God, It is the imperishable, that which endures forever, this inward person that is precious in the eyes of God. This inner person speaks of that purposed of God in Christ, and that purposed in the Church, that we are being conformed to the image of His Son. This is the purpose of consecration, related to the purpose of godly discipline, that we share in His holy character. This purpose of God in Christ is according to the counsel of his will, in it is the manifestation of His will, vision, plan.*
so that the genuineness of your faith (precious over gold that perishes), proven by fire, may be found to your praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.*
Peter writes we are not to think trials as something strange. In fact as Paul writes the discipline of God is that we share in his holy character and if we are without discipline then we are illegitimate sons.* Though it is often painful it is profound wisdom to find peace and joy in the trial. But this is part of the outcome of godly discipline, peaceful fruit of righteousness.* Within the trial is a proving that produces maturity, so to submit during this suffering is to position your heart consecrated to God.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained through it.*
now that, that your hearts are set apart Christ as Lord, be ready always to make a defense for the hope that is in you.*
The purpose within the trial, the proving of the genuineness of our faith, whether it is strongly rooted, truth in love, is maturity and the suffering in the trial brings us to a place of meekness. Meekness is defined as enduring injury with patience and without resentment.* The wavering mind, will not receive wisdom from God in regards to maturity but as James writes a submission in meekness, within the trial, to the implanted word of God, has power to save our souls.
First prepare your heart, then be ready to give a defense. Pure religion is helping orphans and widows and is unstained by the world. In other words doing missions without a pure heart is not pure religion. This tells us that the good works are not what is holy, but the vessel sanctified, prepared by God, this one is useful to God for good works.* Pure religion requires a consecrated people with pure hearts. False religion cleans the outside while the inside is not pure. Purity, holiness, godliness, consecration, is so that God has a people like Him. In other words Christ came and gave his precious blood to redeem and forgive us for a higher purpose, one that puts forth the counsel of God's will, "even as choosing us in Him before creation of the world to exist holy and in his presence in love.* A people consecrated to God is precious in His eyes.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.*
The purpose God planned in Christ is that we are being conformed to the image of His Son. This inner person reflects the character of God, and such a person is precious in His eyes. How important is it to God? He gave His precious Son. How is it produced? The heart consecrating Christ as Lord, submitting to the implanted word of God. The discipline of God is intended to bring about this purpose, so to share in his holiness. Precious in the eyes of God is a heart consecrated.