Affections

Affections

Introduction:

All of us have affections.

We are all people of the heart with emotions and feelings.

That is how God made everyone of us.

The question is = Where do we set our affections on?

Col 3:1-2

"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."

- Affections can be Set.

We have a will to set it.

- We can choose what to do with our affections, to love somebody and not to love some others.

- There are some we want to love, and some which are hard to love (short of a miracle).

Illustration:

During our Student days, we chose not to set our affections on Any One but to set it on our Books.

We refuse to allow other distractions divert us away from our purposes and goals.

Some people think that youths are people of uncontrollable hormones, but I chose to differ.

We are all people of choices. We have to make choices everyday because we are human beings and not animals.

Question: As a Child of God, Where are we to Set Our Affections?

May I suggest the following:

1. Set Your Affections on GOD

Deut 6:5

"And you SHALL love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might"

In Mark 12:28 the scribe came to ask Jesus,

"Which is the First (and the Most important) Commandment of all?

v:29 "Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is ... and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

Some of us want to experience first, and then follow.

Some want to experience His Affections First, His Love First, and then we respond.

This is not the right way.

We need to turn around and respond in faith to His Love and Affection, then we will Receive that which we desire.

The LORD Jesus said in Matt 10:37, that our Love/Affection for Him - must be more than for our father, mother, son or daughter - if not we are not worthy of the LORD.

In Luke 14:26, our love for The Lord Jesus must be so great, that our love for our Family and even ourselves - seems like Hate!

2. Set your affections on the Commandments of GOD

Ps 19:8-10

"the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandments of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring forever;

the ordinances of the LORD are true,

and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb."

The Results of setting our affections on God’s Word/Commandment is:

- rejoicing the heart

- enlightening the eyes

- create fear/reverence of GOD - cleans our heart & mind

- then we can endure

- brings truth & righteousness into our lives

- keep us abiding in His truth & living Righteously

Ps 19:11

"Moreover by them is thy servant warned;

in keeping them there is Great Reward."

The Results of setting our affections on God’s Word/Commandment is:

Warning from all dangers and calamities comes from the WORD & the Holy Spirit of the WORD.

When we keep the WORD within us there is GREAT Reward

Ps 119:11

"I have laid up thy Word in my Heart, that I might not sin against Thee."

The Results of setting our affections on God’s Word/Commandment is:

We are protected from sinning against the Lord.

3. Set your affections on House of GOD & Worship of GOD

1 Chr 29:2-3

David was preparing for the House of GOD - even though his son Solomon was the one who is going to build it.

"So I have provided for the house of my GOD, so far as I was able,...

Moreover, in addition to all that I have provided for the Holy House, I have a treasure of my own of gold & silver, and because of my devotion (KJV = affection) to the House of my GOD I give it to the House of GOD."

Question: Where is your Treasure?

Matt 6:19-21 Jesus said,

"..for where your Treasure is, there will your Heart be also."

(In order to know the heart, look for where is his/her treasure).

DAVID sings songs on the House of GOD

Ps 26:8

"O LORD, I love (set my affection on) the habitation of thy House and the place where Thy Glory dwells"

Ps 27:4

"One thing have I asked (desire, aspire, crave, long for) of the LORD,