Twelve Inches from Hell
"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." — Matthew 15:8
How far is your heart from your head?
You can know historically that Jesus died on the cross. You can look at the Scriptures that give us confirmation about what Jesus did. You can have all the information and acknowledge that He rose from the dead. For many of us, it's just head knowledge. We believe the information.
Many people will miss heaven by about 12 inches—the distance between your head and your heart.
I've met countless people who can quote Scripture. They know theology. They've been in church their whole lives. They can debate doctrine and explain systematic theology. But they've never surrendered their hearts to Jesus Christ.
Head knowledge doesn't save you. Information doesn't transform you. You can ace a Bible quiz and still be spiritually dead.
Jesus told Nicodemus—a religious expert who knew the Scriptures inside and out—"You must be born again" (John 3:7). Nicodemus had head knowledge. He needed heart transformation.
The journey from your head to your heart is only 12 inches, but it's the most important 12 inches you'll ever travel. It's the difference between religion and relationship. It's the difference between knowing about God and knowing God.
So here's the question: Has your knowledge of Jesus made the journey from your head to your heart? Have you moved from information to transformation? Do you just believe facts about Jesus, or have you actually surrendered your life to Him?
Many people sitting in churches this Sunday have head knowledge but no heart change. They believe Jesus existed. They believe He died and rose again. But they've never personally given their lives to Him. They've never experienced that moment of grace when the Holy Spirit regenerates their heart.
Don't let 12 inches separate you from eternal life. Don't be satisfied with head knowledge. Let the truth about Jesus travel from your mind to your heart. Surrender. Submit. Be born again.
That 12-inch journey changes everything.
How far is your heart from your head?
You can know historically that Jesus died on the cross. You can look at the Scriptures that give us confirmation about what Jesus did. You can have all the information and acknowledge that He rose from the dead. For many of us, it's just head knowledge. We believe the information.
Many people will miss heaven by about 12 inches—the distance between your head and your heart.
I've met countless people who can quote Scripture. They know theology. They've been in church their whole lives. They can debate doctrine and explain systematic theology. But they've never surrendered their hearts to Jesus Christ.
Head knowledge doesn't save you. Information doesn't transform you. You can ace a Bible quiz and still be spiritually dead.
Jesus told Nicodemus—a religious expert who knew the Scriptures inside and out—"You must be born again" (John 3:7). Nicodemus had head knowledge. He needed heart transformation.
The journey from your head to your heart is only 12 inches, but it's the most important 12 inches you'll ever travel. It's the difference between religion and relationship. It's the difference between knowing about God and knowing God.
So here's the question: Has your knowledge of Jesus made the journey from your head to your heart? Have you moved from information to transformation? Do you just believe facts about Jesus, or have you actually surrendered your life to Him?
Many people sitting in churches this Sunday have head knowledge but no heart change. They believe Jesus existed. They believe He died and rose again. But they've never personally given their lives to Him. They've never experienced that moment of grace when the Holy Spirit regenerates their heart.
Don't let 12 inches separate you from eternal life. Don't be satisfied with head knowledge. Let the truth about Jesus travel from your mind to your heart. Surrender. Submit. Be born again.
That 12-inch journey changes everything.
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3 Comments
yes, it does and we all need that, our hearts shall be with him everyday .
I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 11 years old but I didn't surrender my heart and life to Jesus until I was 43 years old. It made a world of difference. Now instead of saying I hope He is with me,I can say I know He is with me all the time. Hallelujah!
Well spoken message by Dr Dodd. Head knowledge is "something" .. while heart knowledge is "everything!" In our relationship with God Our Father and Jesus Christ Our savior, our willingness to "surrender" All is crucial as we remember why "He Loved us before we loved Him!" I Praise God for His Loving Son who was willing to sacrifice His Sinless Life for mine !