Darold Edwards

There is no specific list here of the “good works” referred to in [Ephesians 2:10]. We will have to search the word to find and determine what they are for ourselves, which would prove a good exercise for us all. Being good works, they would have to be “things” that naturally contribute to the proper conditioning of the Biblical orientated heart. These “things” would only benefit when and if they are applied.  These “diligently kept” hearts are essential to the establishment and advancement of a well ordered society and culture which seems to be somewhat lacking, with a few exceptions, in modern America, and begin with the individual. We are living in a world and nation that is terribly affected by hearts that have not been and are not “diligently kept” within God ordained boundaries of holiness and righteousness. Thus we continue to have wars, rumors of wars, violence, contentions, animosity, strife, etc, etc. It makes no difference if this is localized or expanded to a national or worldwide basis. Evil, iniquity, wickedness, are all contained in what the Bible terms as “false ways” [Psalms 119:104, 128; Romans 12:9], which God hates; and as his people we should hate and abhor them as well, otherwise though we may not approve of them, we may find ourselves compromising with them in “business as usual”. The devil is extremely subtle in his insidious deceptions concerning these things.  If we profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, but don’t desire and strive for his “divine nature”, “hungering and thirsting after his righteousness”, [Matthew 5:6], “we lie and the truth is not in us” [1 John 1:6].

The use and terminology of “the whole heart” is to place emphasis on the importance of the consecration of the whole being in serving God in all areas of our life, [Acts 17:28; Psalms 9:1; 111:1; 119:2, 10]: there are many more scriptures that can be used to verify and emphasize this, but this should suffice as an introduction to the required condition of “the whole heart”; which is to be “kept with all diligence” within Biblical parameters [Proverbs 4:23] for the purpose of “the issues of life”.    

We can consider the whole heart as being the “inner or spiritual man”, [Ephesians 3:16], having its origin in [Genesis 2:7] after the body was “formed of the dust of the ground” and dwelling in this earthly temple, or house of clay, [Job 4:19]. Unfortunately, that which we can see, touch, or feel, the visible, fleshly body, is what is usually considered as the person; but this is merely the temporary dwelling place of the eternal being within, the real person, the soul, mind, and spirit, the total heart of the being. However this earthy temple has its own value as alluded to in [1 Corinthians 3:16] in which the Spirit of God also dwells. It would a thing of wisdom and intelligence to take God’s admonition to care for it according to his wishes, and take these suggestions seriously. Verse 17 drives home the seriousness of being obedient to his will and desires. In theses two verses the body, the temple of clay, is considered as worthy enough to be considered with the soul and spirit as being included in the whole being.

It would be well for us to understand and conduct ourselves in accordance to what defiles or does not defile our temple, whichever the case may be, which ultimately belongs to God. Consider [1 Corinthians 6:13-20; Romans 8:1-13, 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:24-24] for some additional insight into this. [Romans 1:18-32] provides us a thorough list of things that must be considered as “false ways, evil, all of which God hates” and for which man will be severely judged and punished. Man must realize that humanities acceptance of these things does not constitute God’s acceptance of them. The flip side of the [Acts 10:35] coin is that those who do not fear God and work righteousness will not be accepted with him but be rejected by him. This will be an eternal and exceedingly uncomfortable position to be in.

This is totally unnecessary and idiotic due to the provision God has made for us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, to prevent such a disaster for humanity, [John 3:16; Mark 1:15. Yet due to the adverse non-biblical condition of their hearts, the vast majority of mankind refuses to avail themselves of this eternal provision. With this provision of salvation so available, free, and encouraged, but instead met with hardness of heart in rejection, the intelligence of man is in serious doubt. Thank God for the few exceptions, [Matthew 7:13-14]. [Hebrews 13:20-21], “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.