Heartfelt Feelings Are The Result of Our Faith

Man cannot find the way to God by the feelings of his own heart. God has to direct our steps and we must follow those steps with complete trust that they will lead us to him. The New Testament is filled with admonitions for the Christian to study God’s word and be able to answer any man that asks concerning the hope that we have in Christ (2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:15). We are also taught that the things that have been written can be understood when we read (Eph. 3:3-4). The reason they have been written is because, as Jeremiah the prophet said, “I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Paul made it clear that we must submit to the knowledge of God in order to be saved. Paul said, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” Rom 10:1-4 The Pharisees practiced this same type of religion in the first century, and Jesus Christ condemned it as vain religion for they followed the doctrines of men and not the doctrine of Christ.  (Matt. 15:9 f; 2 Jn 9).

The religion of Jesus Christ is a ‘heart religion’, but it is not the ‘heartfelt religion’ where assurance of salvation is based on how one feels, rather than what the Word of God teaches (Rom. 8:16-17). Our obedience to God must come from the heart, and He is not pleased unless the heart is right with HIM. God has always asked that we love him with all of our heart, soul, and mind. This Jesus said was the first and greatest commandment. (Mt 22:37,38) Therefore, we must believe with all of our heart that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God. (Rom 10:9,10)

In the heart: Evil Thought is formed (Mk. 7:21). Sin is committed (Matt. 5:28). Condemnation is felt (1 Jn. 3:20).  Decision is purposed  (2 Cor. 9:7) Speech is born (Matt. 12:34-37). Belief is formed and Confession is spoken (Rom. 10:10) Obedience is given (Rom. 6:17). And Forgiveness is granted (Matt. 18:35).

Members of the body (the church) of Christ walk by faith and not by fleshly feelings (2 Cor. 5:7 f; Col 1:18). Our true heart felt faith comes from hearing the Word of God, burning within our hearts as the scriptures are opened up to us by the means of preaching. (Rom. 10:14,17 f; Lk 24:32), Our heart is attuned to Gospel which was preached and heard in every nation, which every new testament convert obeyed. (Mt 28:19,20 f; 1 Cor 15:1-4) Our feelings are the result of our faith, and not our faith the result of our feelings. Christians believe in “heartfelt religion” the way the Bible teaches it, but not the kind man-made religions ascribe.

Just because one feels they are saved based upon their emotions doesn’t make one saved. One is saved based upon the knowledge of God’s Word. There are many kinds of heart felt emotions, but there is only one Faith which comes from the heart, and only one Baptism which is Faith placed into action. Eph 4:4 ff; Mk 16:16; Jam 2:20 The scriptures reveals that we can’t trust our feelings when it comes to salvation (Prov. 28:26 ff; Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12). If we trust in God (Prov. 3:5), the Scripture can make one wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15; 2 Pet. 1:3).

Once one has believed from the heart and confess with the mouth that Jesus is the Christ, then we must of necessity have a change of heart. We must turn from the fleshly heart which lusts after the things of the flesh, and turn to spiritual things of the Spirit. Gal 5:19-23 This is accomplished by the means of repentance. (Lk 13:3 f; Acts 17:30) Then one must cleanse their heart from sinful desires by the means of baptism. (Jam 4:8 ff; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:38) The Baptist church teaches that baptism does not save. God says just the opposite in his inspired word.  Peter said, “The like figure where unto even baptism does also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21). Read the context of this verse and you will find that Noah was “saved by water” and we also in a like figure are saved by water. Faith verily saves, but not faith only. (Jam 2:24) Baptism verily saves, but not baptism only.  Yea, rather, a confessed believer with a penitent heart who is baptized shall be saved. (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). Then, and only then comes the biblical “heart-felt” action of rejoicing, even as the Eunuch rejoiced after he was baptized into the body, the church of Christ. Acts 8:37-39 Therefore, Heartfelt feelings are the result of our faith, and not our faith the result of our Heartfelt feelings.