In these days of sudden shocks and continual stress, a sound heart is. a great asset. But it is not a medical point that we raise with you. What we wish to bring to your notice is more important, and we beg you to read carefully this little message.
The term "heart" is used in two ways: (1) The heart is that marvelous organ of the body, the center of our mortal being. Early in the 17th century it was discovered that the blood circulation contained the principle of life. But long before that, Moses had this knowledge, for he declared "the life of the flesh is in the blood." Lev. 17:11.
(2) The heart is also the seat of affections, motives, etc. Relative to the latter aspect, the Word of God says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?" Also, "The heart knoweth his own bitterness."
All will agree as to this. However, the evil of the heart is not recognized by most men. Of the days preceding the flood, we read that "every imagination of the thoughts of his (man's) heart was only evil continually." Gen. 6:5. You may plead that many years have rolled away since then; and with the advance of centuries, men are different—better—today. Are they? Look abroad on civilization. Men have not changed! The Lord Jesus scathingly condemned those who appeared clean outside and yet their hearts were uncleansed. He said, "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies; these are the things which defile a man." Matt. 15:19, 20.
Is your heart right? You may pass muster with your fellows. You may deceive them and yourself; but you cannot deceive God. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Sam. 16:7. Every thought of your heart is known to God. "Thou God seest me" not only means He sees our acts, but He sees the heart. How searching were the words of Peter to Simon the sorcerer! The good outward show of that deceiver was discovered and called forth the rebuke of the Apostle: "Thy heart is not right in the sight of God." Acts. 8:21.
What about your heart? If our best friends knew our hearts, we might soon be friendless; but God knows our hearts and yet He loves us! How matchless is His grace! It shines forth in the verse: "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8. That has been proved beyond doubt! "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
God does not ask for your best efforts to please Him. His finished work is your only plea and God can accept you only as your heart is cleansed through faith in what Christ has done. God brings His salvation to your very heart's door. Friend, is your heart right with God?
"The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10: 8-10.
Is your heart right?