by Tim Hall

The conditions Jesus predicted to His disciples were nothing short of crisis. The movement that saw Christians "having favor with all the people" (Acts 2:47, NKJV) would take a dramatic turn. In the not-too-distant future, "... they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake" (Luke 21:12). To these timid followers, such words were sure to instill fear.

But they would not be alone in their trials, Jesus went on to say: "Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom ..." (Luke 21:14,15). Their ability to testify before hostile courts would not come from quick wit and deep intellect, but from God above. This assurance they were to settle in their hearts.

That's an interesting phrase: "settle it in your hearts". The word for "settle" is often used in the New Testament, referring to a deliberate act of placing something in a certain location. It is used, for example, of the placement of Jesus' body in the tomb by Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 23:53). Jesus' body didn't just happen to be in the tomb; Joseph, acting upon his will, placed it there.

Jesus' meaning, therefore, is clear: God's promise, which would answer a strong need (how to answer charges brought by murderous enemies), could calm their fearful souls. But for the promise to be of any value, they would have to "settle it in your hearts". They would have to deliberately meditate on God's promise, reminding themselves of His offer over and over again.

Another occasion of something placed in a person's heart is recorded by John: "And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him ..." (John 13:2). The result in both instances was the same: Something that had not previously been in a person's heart now resided there. In Judas' case, however, Satan was the one responsible for placement. The word for "put" in this verse is "ballo", a word often translated as "cast" or "throw". It suggests a more careless act, perhaps done with impulsiveness. Nonetheless, the thing cast is now located in the heart, the very seat of emotions, desires and will.

Here's our point: Our minds are receptacles into which many things can be placed. We can allow God's word to be placed there and the result will be peace, joy, love and faith. On the other hand, those who do not diligently watch the gates of their mind may discover things that the devil has flung there. The potential for damage from such devil-inspired thoughts is seen in Judas, an apostle of Christ who fell to the depths of a traitor!

A battle rages for the hearts and minds of us all. Paul warned: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4,5).

God has provided each of us with the armor we need; it's up to us to put it on. He has provided us with promises that will secure our hearts and minds; it's up to us to work to settle them in our hearts. Those who are careless in what they allow to enter their minds may discover -- too late -- a serious deficiency in strength when their time of battle comes.

by Greg Tidwell

Human nature wants to scale sin down, to make sin more palatable. We like to think that the sins we commit, or that are commonly committed by people we like, are not so very bad. But sin is not measured by our standards. God's judgment against sin is what matters. He is the one who is offended, and God is the one who must be appeased. God's hatred for sin is seen in the horrible price that had to be paid because of our sins. Jesus Christ died because of our sins. Sin is always an affront to God. Sin is never all right.

But Christians do sin. We all need a Savior. Not only someone to make us right, but someone with the continual power to keep us right with God. And we have the perfect Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Through the saving work of Christ our sins are forgiven. Through His death on the cross, Christ became our sin offering, the payment which makes us right with God. Salvation is only in Christ, and is complete in Christ.

Receiving this salvation, our lives should be directed, guided, and empowered by Jesus. If we understand who Jesus is and what Jesus came into the world to accomplish, we must be opposed to sin. Sin is in direct contradiction to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul uses baptism as an illustration of the transformation which is to come (Romans 6:1ff). The death, burial and resurrection of Christ are mirrored in baptism. The victory which Jesus perfectly obtained over sin should likewise be reflected in the "newness of life" lived out daily by Christians. Christ died to overcome the power of sin. Baptism into Christ signifies our unity with the Savior in this victory.

This new life in Christ, being born again of water and the Spirit, is a continual affirmation of the faith spoken in the good confession. The salvation we receive in Christ must be expressed in the loving obedience that God expects of all Christians. The gospel of Jesus Christ provides the substance of our confession, it gives saving power to our baptism, and it produces continual joy in the assurance of salvation. As God's children, we are enriched and empowered by the Lord's grace. The gospel initiates salvation, and keeps us in a right relationship with God. We must continually look to Jesus, our Savior and our Lord to keep our lives going in the right direction.