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The Heart Changed, February 9
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:
and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give
you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you
to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Ezekiel 36:26, 27
.
The heart of man may be the abode of the Holy Spirit. The peace of Christ
that passeth understanding may rest in your soul, and the transforming power
of His grace may work in your life, and fit you for the courts of glory. But if
brain and nerve and muscle are all employed in the service of self, you are not
making God and heaven the first consideration of your life. It is impossible
to be weaving the graces of Christ into your character while you are putting
all your energies on the side of the world.
You may be successful in heaping up treasure on the earth, for the glory of
self; but “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (
Matthew 6:21
).
Eternal considerations will be made of secondary importance. You may take
part in the outward forms of worship; but your service will be an abomination
to the God of heaven. You cannot serve God and mammon. You will either
yield your heart and put your will on the side of God, or you will give your
energies to the service of the world. God will accept no half-hearted service.
“The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy
whole body also is full of light” (
Luke 11:34
). If the eye is single, if it is
directed heavenward, the light of heaven will fill the soul, and earthly things
will appear insignificant and uninviting. The purpose of the heart will be
changed, and the admonition of Jesus will be heeded. You will lay up your
treasure in heaven. Your thoughts will be fixed upon the great rewards of
eternity. All your plans will be made in reference to the future, immortal life.
You will be drawn toward your treasure. You will not study your worldly
interest; but in all your pursuits the silent inquiry will be “Lord, what wilt
thou have me to do?” (
Acts 9:6
).—
The Review and Herald, January 24, 1888
.
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