In The Name of Jesus II When Is the Heart Pure?

Chapter 4: In The Name of Jesus II When is the Heart Pure?

It is impossible for us to walk and work in confidence, knowing that whatsoever we ask of the Father, He will do it, without holiness and love. Forget about all the hype you have heard over the years about the Jesus ministry. The truth is, none of us will have the privilege of glorifying the Father with such a ministry, unless we are willing to offer ourselves as living sacrifices. As stated in the previous chapter our walk and our ministry must be rendered in the character and heart of our Master. In the name of Jesus, places us in the center of God’s will and power.

Some of us have grown tired of missing the mark here. We want to walk in the confidence of knowing that the words we speak are those of the Father, and that the Father will indeed perform all that we ask. He gave us commandment … And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks God and the Father by him (Colossians 3:17). Paul again stresses the fact that everything we endeavor to do in the Kingdom of God, must be done in the name of Jesus Christ. To fulfill this commandment, we must walk in the character, mind, and heart of Jesus. As He is pure in all His ways and thoughts, so must we be as well. Purifying the heart and guarding it against all unrighteousness is the foundation of worship and servitude.

WHEN IS THE HEART PURE?

We know that Christ is our first example of a son of God. Paul is the one apostle who really understood Christ in our flesh. It is befitting that he should write, … when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:4). I have spent a lot of years studying the writings of Paul. But I believe the scripture that had the most impact and life-changing influence on my life was Galatians 5:24- 25.

Galatians 5:24-25

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Paul was bold enough to say that our affections (emotions) and lusts (thing we wanted), were destroyed at the new birth. What he is describing is the death of the soul. This makes a lot of sense, since the scriptures declare, … The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:20). Yes, the soul died at salvation. But the good news is that it died in Christ.

Romans 6:3-4

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk

in newness of life.

We have probably read or heard these scriptures hundreds of times. But let us look at them again. The soul died in Christ that it might be resurrected in Christ. To be raised from the dead, by the glory of the Father, is to be raised up in the Holy Ghost. Zechariah 2:11 says, And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: But Paul goes a bit further… But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17).

The joining of the resurrected soul to the Holy Ghost is a mystery that was hidden in God. This means the soul has been regenerated or reborn having more life. The scripture calls it abundant life which has nothing to do with socio-economic status. It is the soul taking on the life of Christ. Now in the scriptures, the soul is used interchangeably with mind and heart. The soul is the spirit of the mind or the spiritual mind. The soul is the heart, the seat of all emotions, desires and will. Now let us connect the dots.

The Lord made some promises that were fulfilled at salvation in every believer.

Jeremiah 24:7

7 And I will give them an heart to know me,

Ezekiel 36:26-27

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:

27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

This is the operation of the faith of God. He has given the sons a regenerated soul, (heart), that knows and experiences Him. This is a remaking of the soul of man. It is a transitional change. We are no longer simply living souls but rather quickening spirits. We have the mind and heart of Christ. We can know as He knows, because the Holy Ghost is our ability to understand spiritual things. We can feel as He feels because we have His mind. All must manifest the heart of Christ. This fact demands the heart of the sons to be pure before God and man.

Purification of the heart is so important to who and what we are. Often the enemy and life itself can cause us to become distracted, wherein we lose site of the disposition

of our hearts. But believe it or not, the location of your heart is the essential determining factor as to whether you are going to make it into the Kingdom of Heaven. Purity of heart is also the determining factor as to whether you will be successful in ministry. Many simply quote the name of Jesus, as they attempt to work ministry. This is a tradition that has not rendered the power of God to the world or the Church. Therefore, the heart must not only be willing to die for the salvation of others, it must also be pure, (void of any form of darkness), regarding God, mankind, or the Word of God.

Apostle Michael Thomas said, “You can’t fake purity. Though you may be slicker than a snake, you will never be able to fake purity of heart when dealing with God, or those who truly know God.” Those who try to fake this disposition are blind to the fact that God sees them. Thus, they are certain that none of the people they encounter see their true disposition. This presumption has

destroyed and is destroying many who were capable of becoming true presentations of Christ. They forfeited their ministry and the anointing they could have received. His name will give you the right to work on behalf of the Kingdom of God. His name will also give you the ability to allow the power of God to manifest through you. Those of us who dare to embrace these truths, will walk in the power of the Holy Ghost, fulfilling the great commission.

I love you,

Mary Banks, apostle of Jesus Christ