A question arises, as we examine any cutting-edge, revolutionary teaching—Is this just another set of rules to follow, list to check-off or a compulsory formula?
If the outcome is a checklist, compulsory formula or rules, the entire SABERS ministry is a waste of time. Why reinvent the rules? We could just go back to the guidelines and restrictions of the Pharisees in Jesus’ time (Mark 7:1-13). They were the best at making rules and lists and they were nothing like Jesus. The very people who claimed to love and know God killed Jesus.
No, SABERS is not a set of rules, list or formula. What evidence exists to support that statement?
Responding to God instead of reacting to circumstances requires a change of heart.
Let’s look at what the Bible says about the human heart. In the Bible the heart is referred to as more than the blood-pumping organ of the circulatory system. The heart is the center of hidden emotional, intellectual, moral, and spiritual activity.
1 Samuel 16:7 says, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”. In Matthew 12:33-35, Jesus says that the heart’s secrets are betrayed by the mouth even as a tree’s fruit reveals its identity.
The heart reasons, feels, thinks, remembers, meditates, plans, commits, decides, wishes and desires. (Matt. 9:4, Mark 2:8, Ps. 77:5-6, Luke 2:19)
To the Old Testament Hebrew, the eyes were meant to see and the ears to hear; the heart was meant to understand, to discern, to give insight. When a person lacked insight, it was considered a “lack of heart.” In the Bible, the heart is the center not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life.
Because of sin, the inclination of the human heart is evil, guilty, and deceitful (Gen. 8:21, Ps. 51:5, Jer. 17:9). The heart must be changed (Ezek. 11:19; Ps. 51:10) before a human can be in relationship with God.
As with any revolutionary change, the process must begin at a core level deep within—our motivations, thoughts, intentions, desires, and passions—the heart.
Humans have perfected “the pretend heart-change”. We look at people from the outside, but do not really know what is in their heart. We may not even truly know our own heart.
God knows our heart. He made us; He purposed us; and He knows the things we hide from everyone else. He knows, values, and loves us.
Psalm 44:21
Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.
Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
1 John 4:10 (NCV)
This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God’s love for us. He sent his Son to die in our place to take away our sins.
This is why it is cutting-edge, revolutionary, and heart-changing to respond to God. He is sovereign beyond all. Only God changes our heart and gives us His word so we can have ongoing relationship with Him, practicing the responses that build our faith. This is the faith that produces hope, joy, peace, and purpose in our daily lives.