THE POWER OF A NEW AFFECTION
Devotion 11 of 12
"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." -- Colossians 3:1-3, NASB
THE POWER OF A NEW AFFECTION
A new heart
Being in Christ involves having a "new heart." Through the prophets, God promised He would change the heart of His people. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh" (Ezek 36:26). This change would result in new affection, a new way of thinking, and a new focus for the mind. It is alarming to consider how little this is taught in the "church" world. While most denominational creeds, whether written or unwritten, acknowledge the necessity of the new birth, methodologies are freely accepted that deny its reality. It is not uncommon to hear the people of God addressed as though they were no different than the recalcitrant Israelites wandering in the wilderness.
The heart must be changed
If you want to change the individual, you must change the way he thinks. His appetites and preferences must be altered if his manner of life is to be modified. This approach differs radically from that of Law. Under a system of Law, or mere discipline, individuals are required to change their own nature; to alter their own basic constitution. "Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" (Ezek 18:31). This was an impossible situation, and the commandment proved that to be the case. Those who have "sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) do not possess the means to recover themselves. Their nature has been corrupted, and they need a new beginning--a new heart.
God promised He would accomplish this requirement. "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh" ( Ezek 11:19). " A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh"
(Ezek 36:26). These prophecies find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus. The New Covenant way of saying the same thing is as follows: "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people . . . I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them" (Heb 8:19; 10:16).
A "stony heart" is one that has been hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. It has no sensitivity toward the Lord, and thus cannot be directed by Him. Such a heart cannot be reformed; it cannot be improved. It is so defiled that it must be replaced. This kind of heart is capable of making good resolves, but is incapable of fulfilling them. Israel serves as an example of this reality. When the ancient people heard the words of the Law, motivated by fear, they declared they would do everything God commanded. "And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD" ( Exo 19:8). The intention was noble, but inadequate. Their hard hearts did not allow them to fulfil their resolve.
The result of this heart transplant reveals the power of a new affection. This newness would accomplish what no law could do. "And I will . . . give them an heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Ezek 11:19-20). Again, observe the results of the promised new heart. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you . . . 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" (Ezek 36:26-27).
A new affection proceeds from a new heart. As simple as that may appear, it has eluded the masses of religious devotees. Institutionalized religion attempts to produce a new heart by altering the affection. Elaborate programs, methodologies, and entertaining anecdotes are professionally presented to make people want to do what is right. But where there is not a new heart, there can be no lasting affection for the things that are above. Acceptable change can
only be wrought from within. It cannot be induced from without. The kingdom of God works this way; first the heart is changed, then the affection is raised, then the conduct is altered. It is not possible to affect change by reversing the order.
Set your affection on things above
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col 3:1-2). The acid test of our new birth is the ability to have a heavenly mind set. Those that do not have a basic appetite for truth and the realities that are "above" simply have not been born again. I say "basic appetite," because it is possible for that desire to be suppressed by a diversion to temporal things. The "new man," however, is the superior part of the believer's total being. Exposure to the "things" that sustain that nature will enable recovery from the snare of the devil. Only those that are truly "born again" can refocus their hearts and minds on heavenly things.
This activity requires the wholehearted effort of the believer. Casualness or disinterest will rob the soul of the strength necessary to properly focus ones affection. This is why Paul testified as he did. "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:8-14).