“I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.” Psalm 119:32 (Read Psalm 119:25-32)
The Bible teaches us that we are saved by God’s grace alone: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). But the Scriptures go on to say: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).
It is entirely of God’s grace that our sins are forgiven and washed away in Jesus’ blood. We receive these blessings through faith alone in Christ Jesus; our works add nothing! And even the faith by which we receive the forgiveness and life which Jesus won for us on the cross is the result of God’s gracious working in our hearts through Word and Sacrament.
But we are saved for a purpose. God graciously saved us that we might now live for Him and do those works which God created us to do (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:15).
Therefore the believer in Jesus, having been saved by grace alone, now desires to live his life in accord with God’s holy will. He desires to run the course of God’s commandments. And this is so because God enlarges his heart.
The believer’s heart, which was once dead in trespasses and sins, which was narrow and self-seeking, is enlarged by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit so that it now loves the LORD God and seeks to live a life pleasing to Him. The believer’s heart is enlarged so that he now loves God, and he also loves his neighbor. And, being taught of God from the Scriptures, he knows that God’s commandments are good and right; and so he seeks to obey these commandments and live according to them.
O LORD God, thank you for graciously granting me salvation through the innocent sufferings and death of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, and for bringing me to know and trust in Jesus alone as my Savior by Your Spirit’s working through the Word. Enlarge my heart to love You, seek after You and to run the course of Your commandments. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible]
