Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
A co-worker's brother is in need of a new heart. His heart is failing and cannot support the rest of his organs. He is slowly dying and will die if he does not receive a heart transplant. (It just goes to show how the super- rich, like a Rothchild, can receive as many as nine heart transplants while the poor get cast off.) If this brother were to receive a new heart, he would live. But what if he doesn’t? He will die the first death. Is there any hope for him? What if, if he hasn’t already, he totally surrendered his life to Christ? Not only would he receive a new heart and live, but he would live forever. Should we wait to surrender our lives to Christ? That is not what God desires from us. He desires that we surrender to Him our whole being today, for tomorrow is not promised.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment. Mark 12:30
Once you make a total surrender to Christ, your life will be forever changed here on earth, as well as in the eternal life in God’s heavenly kingdom. The joy and peace a relationship with Christ will bring you cannot be measured by earthly standards. Christ has promised us that He will bring our reward with Him, and that He prepares a mansion for us in the New Jerusalem. We will have new bodies, perfect in every way. No sickness or disease, no aches or pains whatsoever. But there are conditions we must meet to get to heaven. These conditions are easy if you yoke up with and put all your faith and trust in Jesus. Ask Christ to give you a new heart, that you may live.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14
As God works upon the heart by His Holy Spirit, man must cooperate with Him. The thoughts must be bound about, restricted, withdrawn from branching out and contemplating things that will only weaken and defile the soul. The thoughts must be pure, the meditations of the heart must be clean, if the words of the mouth are to be words acceptable to Heaven and helpful to your associates. {2MCP 657.2}
God knows what is in our hearts. God does not look on what is on the outside, rather what is inside on the heart. There is nothing that can be hidden from God. If you come to God in true repentance with a contrite heart, your sins will be blotted out. Confess your sins and humble your heart before it is too late to receive pardon. Let God pour out the Holy Spirit upon you and let Christ be the builder of your character.
I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:10
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
Christ Built David’s Character—When God called David from his father’s sheepfold to anoint him king of Israel, He saw in him one to whom He could impart His Spirit. David was susceptible to the influence of the Holy Spirit, and the Lord in His providence trained him for His service, preparing him to carry out His purposes. Christ was the Master-builder of his character (Manuscript 163, 1902). { 2BC 1018.3 }
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Psalms 44:21
The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalms 51:17
To the king of Israel, exalted and honored, the Lord sent a message of reproof by His prophet. David confessed his sin and humbled his heart, declaring God to be just in all His dealings [Psalm 51:1-17 quoted] (Manuscript 147, 1903). { 3BC 1147.2 }
Chief Guilt Is Sin Against God—Sin is sin, whether committed by one sitting on a throne, or by one in the humbler walks of life. The day is coming when all who have committed sin will make confession, even though it is too late for them to receive pardon. God waits long for the sinner to repent. He manifests a wonderful forbearance. But He must at last call the transgressor of His law to account. {3BC 1147.3}
We are required by God to live our lives’ righteously, not through our own eyes in self- righteousness, but in doing what is right, favorable, and well pleasing in the sight of God. We are to be examples as well unto our children and our children’s children. We are all children of God, members of the Royal Family. We are to reflect the light of Jesus onto those around us. It is the work assigned to us, to proclaim the everlasting gospel unto this dark world. The word of God is to live in our hearts that it may freely be shared with others.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10
To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise [thee], O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. Psalms 9:1
Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with [my] whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and [in] the congregation. Psalms 111:1
A man incurs guilt by injuring a fellow-being, but his chief guilt is the sin that he has committed against the Lord, and the evil influence of his example upon others. { 3BC 1147.4 }
The sincere child of God does not make light of any of His requirements (Manuscript 147, 1903). { 3BC 1147.5 }
My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:26
Then, children, come to Jesus. Give to God the most precious offering that it is possible for you to make; give Him your heart. He speaks to you saying, “My son, My daughter, give Me thine heart. Though your sins be as scarlet, I will make them white as snow; for I will cleanse you with My own blood. I will make you members of My family—children of the heavenly King. Take My forgiveness, My peace which I freely give you. I will clothe you with My own righteousness,—the wedding garment,—and make you fit for the marriage supper of the Lamb. When clothed in My righteousness, through prayer, through watchfulness, through diligent study of My word, you will be able to reach a high standard. You will understand the truth, and your character will be moulded by a divine influence; for this is the will of God, even your sanctification.”( The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1162.) {Pr 241.2}
Once we allow the Spirit of God to enter into our hearts, we will receive the new heart that we need to live righteously. The old man is passed away, and we shall become new. Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17. The working of the Spirit on our hearts changes us into a new creature. But we have our part to play. We must make the conscientious decision to put away all sin, to be obedient to God’s commandments, all of them. For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
And it was [so], that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day. 1 Samuel 10:9
Saul Became a New Man—The Lord would not leave Saul to be placed in a position of trust without divine enlightenment. He was to have a new calling, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. The effect was that he was changed into a new man. The Lord gave Saul a new spirit, other thoughts, other aims and desires than he had previously had. This enlightenment, with the spiritual knowledge of God, placing him on vantage ground, was to bind his will to the will of Jehovah (Letter 12a, 1888). { 2BC 1013.4 }
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. 1 Chronicles 28:9
Fidelity Must Precede Blessings—[1 Chronicles 28:9 quoted.] This charge is given to the men in positions of trust in the work of God today as verily as it was given to Solomon. The day of test and trial is upon them, as verily as it was then upon Solomon. { 3BC 1128.10 }
Fidelity is required before God can bestow the blessings that He has promised. Those who offer God acceptable service must obey all His commandments. Thus they become representatives of Christ (Manuscript 163, 1902). { 3BC 1128.11 }
And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. Jeremiah 24:7
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
But [as for them] whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 11:19-21
Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
We must desire for God to take away the stony heart. To humble us and mold us to take on His character. We must diligently seek Him, but if we forsake Him, He will cast us off. Once saved, always saved is a false teaching. Look at the accounts of Saul, David, and Solomon. It is our lifelong duty to keep our hearts undefiled. We must carry our cross daily. Put away daily sins through constant prayer. Praying without ceasing.
With all the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be distracting to say the least. There are many ups and downs that can seem to take us on a rollercoaster ride. But if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, He will keep us on an even keel, allowing us to ride out the highs and lows. Our carnal hearts lead us to sinful habits. But if continue in the Word of God, He will give us a new heart, and we will be set free by His truth. If we come upon a trial, petition the Throne of Grace in time of need. May the peace of God be with you always. Amen.
How Hearts May Be Kept for God—“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23. Diligent heart-keeping is essential to a healthy growth in grace. The heart in its natural state is a habitation for unholy thoughts and sinful passions. When brought into subjection to Christ, it must be cleansed by the Spirit from all defilement. This cannot be done without the consent of the individual. { 3BC 1157.2 }
When the soul has been cleansed, it is the duty of the Christian to keep it undefiled. Many seem to think that the religion of Christ does not call for the abandonment of daily sins, the breaking loose from habits which have held the soul in bondage. They renounce some things condemned by the conscience, but they fail to represent Christ in the daily life. They do not bring Christlikeness into the home. They do not show a thoughtful care in their choice of words. Too often, fretful, impatient words are spoken, words which stir the worst passions of the human heart. Such ones need the abiding presence of Christ in the soul. Only in His strength can they keep guard over the words and actions. { 3BC 1157.3 }
In the work of heart-keeping we must be instant in prayer, unwearied in petitioning the throne of grace for assistance. Those who take the name of Christian should come to God in earnestness and humility, pleading for help. The Saviour has told us to pray without ceasing. The Christian cannot always be in the position of prayer, but his thoughts and desires can always be upward. Our self-confidence would vanish, did we talk less and pray more ( The Youth’s Instructor, March 5, 1903). { 3BC 1157.4 }
And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19
