My New Affections

David prays for a new heart in Psalm 51. And God promises through the prophet Ezekiel, "I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them.  I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh" (Chapter 11-bankruptcy of the old hard heart).  The Augsburg Confession explains this as the renewal of the heart whereby "new affections" are given. (Article 20 on good works).

I have been using the following for a heart check with some of the groups I meet with.  "DQ" stands for Diagnostic Question.

h.e.a.r.t. affections

Hope (Future Faith)

DQ: Are you “All in” or “waiting to see” or “Divesting” in the future?

Divesting 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 “All in”

Kindling the affection of hope: Romans 15.4

Endurance (Patient Faith)

DQ: Where are you on the “giving-up-o-meter?”

Gave up  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  Energized

kindling the affection of endurance: Romans 5; Hebrews 10-11

Adventure (Vital Faith-wild heart)

DQ: Are you dreaming?  Do you have a vision?

Stuck yesterday  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  Captivated by a big dream

kindling the affection of adventure: 1 Corinthians 2.9

Relationships (Down-to-earth practiced Faith)

DQ: Do you know your top 3 vocations? Do they know what order they are in?

Out-of-order 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  Well-ordered

kindling the affection of relationship: Ephesians 5

Thanksgiving (Un-entitled faith)

DQ: Where are you experiencing entitlement-believing? Are you giving thanks in all circumstances?

No thanksgiving 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  All circumstances

kindling the affection of thanksgiving: Philippians 4.6

CA XX “Good Works”

It is only by faith, and nothing else, that forgiveness of sins is apprehended.  The Holy Spirit is received through faith, hearts are renewed and given new affections, and then they are able to bring forth good works.  Ambrose says: “Faith is the mother of a good will and doing what is right.”