The Need For a New Heart
According to the November 1999 issue of Look Magazine 50,000 Americans are in the need of a new heart. As I read this article, I got to thinking about the number of people who need a new heart spiritually. Thus we study:
• The Bible Heart: The Bible heart is not the blood pump, as many seem to think, but the mind or intellect of man. It’s like the wise man wrote, “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth” (Eccl. 7:4). Perhaps there is a death of friend and we cannot be with them and we say, “my heart is with you.” That is, the thoughts of our mind are with you. This is the way the Bible uses the word heart. Where is your heart right now?
• New Hearts Save Lives: The Look article stated that new hearts save lives. To be saved from sin and have the hope of heaven we must have a changed heart. The old hard heart must be changed into an obedient heart. As Paul penned, “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18). The “form of doctrine” one obeys is that which Paul described in Romans 6:1-8 when one is “baptized into the death of Christ.” Are you in need of a new heart?
• New Hearts Are Costly: Do you have any idea what it cost to get a new heart? The cost can be as much as $162,000.00. Did it ever occur to you that when you get a new heart, it is not without cost. It cost God “his only begotten son” (John 3:16); it cost Christ his life (Rom. 5:8); it will cost you the giving up of sinful things as you repent (Acts 17:30); it will cost you bowing your heart in obedience to the gospel of Christ (Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:8-9) as you are baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27), for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38). No wonder Paul said, “For ye are bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20). Peter affirmed, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:18-19). The Ephesian elders were told that the church had the “purchased price” of the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). Are you willing to pay the price for a new spiritual heart?
• Shortage: When it comes to heart transplants there is a real shortage. Ninety-five percent of Americans who need a new heart, will not get one. There is no shortage of new hearts for those who want to change their spiritual heart. The Lord says, “Come” (Matt. 11:28-30); “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athrist come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). If you needed a new physical heart, I expect you would be getting in line to get on the list for a transplant. Why not obey the Lord and get a new spiritual heart while you can?
• Waiting: The average wait for those on the transplant list is 207 days. This wait is often fatal. Your waiting to change your heart for a new spiritual one can also be deadly. Paul put urgency of obedience in these words, “. . . behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). In the words of the Psalmist, “And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee” (Ps. 39:7). For what are you waiting. Get that new heart while you still can!
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Truth
Magazine Vol. XLIV: 4 p5 February 17,
2000