“And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them” (Revelation 14:13).
The direction of the heart, that which controls how the heart works, is evident in the deeds of a person. Jesus said, “By their fruits you will know them.” The wicked may have outward deeds that look good to some, but those who follow Jesus learn to love as He loves. You are either heading toward the direction of being like Christ, or else you are heading in the opposite direction.
Lord, does it boil down to this? Is it really that simple? It is not a matter of my earning salvation by my deeds, for that would put me in a position superior to You. That’s ridiculous. Nor is it my choosing one over another. It is a matter of my corrupt sinful heart being transformed to learn how to love my neighbor as myself. This is not easy work. In fact, it will take a miracle to accomplish.
Lord Jesus, You have given us the miracle of salvation by grace through faith. I may understand only a little bit of how all this works, but I do see Your grace effecting my heart to do good. Lead me in Your ongoing miracle that my prayer to become more like You, Jesus, would be answered. Stop at nothing and transform the whole of me to be what You have created me to be. Amen.
