Ephesians 1:18-19 (KJV) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Ephesians 1:18-19 (ESV) having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

I bring these verses to you in the KJV and the ESV to make an important point. There is a huge difference between knowing something in your mind and knowing something in your heart.

Romans 10:10 (KJV) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

We might having something right in our minds but wrong in our hearts. There is a subtle difference between being right and being right with God. When we take it to mean that righteousness only has to deal with being right, we leave God out of the equation. We should understand that Romans 10:10 is indicating a right standing with God.

Psalm 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

In order for us to know our true hearts we need to be tested.

Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

There can be a distinction between what we know in our minds and our hearts. Leave it to God to show us where we need correction, whether in the mind or the heart.

Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

This is a continuation of yesterday’s devotional, Law of Love. It will make more sense if you have read that one first.

Return once again to the plane that overcomes gravity and flies high in the heavens. Can anyone get on board while the plane is cruising at forty thousand feet? No, it has to be on the ground, at the gate. That is the same sense of being grounded in love. Not to be high minded, putting on airs, but rather being open, available, accessible, and demonstrating the love that is in you by the grace of God.

Only when we remain firmly grounded on the Rock of our salvation can we discover our true new nature, this new creation having been born again. The essence of being grounded in love is to be your true self, the one God has captured with His love.

Love that acts like itself is true to what abides in our hearts. He has declared us His children and as such has given us the ability to act as His children. That fact remained hidden from me for years. I didn’t want to believe it because I had not forgiven myself for all the wrong choices I had made in this life. When I finally came to a point of finding forgiveness for myself, I discovered what true freedom meant.

If God could forgive me, why couldn’t I forgive myself? I had not embraced the love that dwelt in me. I did not believe. Then He helped my unbelief. I was free to believe I am truly changed in my heart. All I had to do was respond to that part of me that is the most precious gift, His abiding love.