The Imprints of the Remnant (Deuteronomy 6:4-6)

 

1)The influence of watching, reading, listening, and thinking
-We are under the strong flow and influence of social media. Today culture like movies, music, musical, novel, dancing, TV program, game, and internet is pleasure-centered, self-centered, and demonic-influenced. Repetition of watching, reading, and listening has imprinted strange messages that oppose the truth of the Gospel. People become addicted or obsessed with culture. Then, they continuously pursue a new pleasure or stimulus. However, finally their heart is empty and vain.
Ecclesiastes 1:8, All things are full of labor;
Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing.
-The worldly and physical things cannot provide true rest, peace, and happiness to human beings. It is because they have the incorrect imprints in them.
-If so, we need to change our imprints. How can we get rid of wrong imprints and implant new imprints?

 

1.What is the incorrect imprints?
1)The start of the incorrect imprints
-Because originally human beings were created in God’s image, their native imprints are to worship God and to give glory and honor to God (Genesis 1:27-28). God gave a command or Word to them in order to keep these imprints (Genesis 2:17).
-When Satan tempted Adam and Eve through the serpent, they disbelieved and disobeyed God’s Word and followed the saying of Satan (Genesis 3:1-6). After the fall, fundamental unbelief toward God’s Word was implanted in human beings.
2)Feature of the incorrect imprints
-What is a typical feature of the incorrect imprints? Their spiritual eyes are closed and their physical eyes are opened to the worldly and physical things.
Genesis 3:6, So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
-Because the saying of Satan was imprinted in them, Adam and Eve saw differently the fruit of knowledge of good and evil according to the lust in their heart. Their descendants naturally follow the lust of the world.
1 John 2:16, For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

 

2.New imprints of the remnant
1)Salvation is the start of the new imprint (v.4)
-When does the new imprint start? God delivered Israelites from Egypt and Pharaoh through the blood of the lamb (Exodus 12). God fulfilled His Word and promise through Exodus. Salvation is the beginning of the new imprint concerning God’s Word. Because God is our only one God and we are His children, we can listen to God’s Word (v.4).
Acts 26:18, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
-In salvation, our spiritual eyes are opened.
2)The method of the new imprint (v.5-6)
-First of all, what to love becomes our treasure in our heart.
Luke 12:34,  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
-This principle applies to new imprints. God commands to love Him with all your heart, soul, and strength (v.5). With all your heart, soul, and strength mean to concentrate completely and fully. If we love God, we naturally stay in God’s Word. His Word dwells in us. John 14:24,  He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
-Furthermore, we should imprint God’s Word in our heart (v.6). The Word of God can save our souls. God’s Word can heal our soul, spirit, mind, heart, and body.
James 1:21, Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
-How can we imprint the Word of God in our heart? God told it to His people.
-Joshua 1:8, This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

 

Conclusion
1)Have the time to do spiritual formation!
-Every single day we need the time to focus on spiritual formation. We build up our spiritual state.
-1 Timothy 4:8, For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.