The heart is the core of a person’s being. Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” A sinful heart cannot be improved. It must be replaced. God opened the door for all of us when Jesus rose again. Once the heart is changed, the believer must “walk by the Spirit”.
It was interesting when Pastor Jason talked about the word HEART being mentioned in the Bible almost 1000 times. It depends on the translation in the Bible, but the King James Version has the word “heart” over 800 times. Ezekiel 36:26 says “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” I liked the example from William Barclay who said “pure in heart” is liken to soiled clothes that have been washed clean.
A Beatitude says, “Happy are those whose heart has been washed clean and is undivided towards God for they will see God.” You will be able to see God in fellow humans who are made in the image of God. Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” We can recognize his grace and look forward to the promise of seeing Him face-to-face. The evidence of God’s mercy begins to appear everywhere we look.
What a blessing we have to get a new heart and new life with God!
Reflections from Deborah Kelly. Share your reflections with deborah@rbcommunity.org and let me know your thoughts.