Heart Surgery
When a patient is diagnosed with a physical heart problem, they can try their best to treat it themselves, but most would deem that a foolish endeavor. The wise person seeks out those that are knowledgeable and can get to the root of problem, rather than simply treating symptoms. Similarly, we’ve all been diagnosed with a heart problem and there is only One that can truly, permanently fix our spiritual heart problems. You may be familiar with His name...
Christ Alone
King David, one of the most revered men in all of the Bible and someone known as “a man after God’s own heart” still found himself calling out to God for help in changing his heart. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”He was keenly aware that God alone was capable of initiating any significant, long-term change within his heart and therefore turned to Him for help.
Trust the Process
The process starts with going to God for help. We must be willing to humble ourselves, and call on Him and He will be faithful to initiate the uncomfortable, sometimes painful yet beautiful metamorphosis of our hearts. Listen to God’s words to the nation of Israel in Ezekiel 36:
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules”
A Lifelong Exercise
The changing of our hearts by Christ is one that will take the duration of our lives. There are no shortcuts. There will be growing pains. There will be scars. There will be times when we'll want to tap out. I’ve been there. However, the best thing we can do is commit to being “refined like silver.” (Psalm 66:10). If you’re there now, hold on a little longer. There are a few things I can encourage you to do in order to make it a little easier to hold on in those rough patches. In part 3 we’ll discuss some small habits that will become lifesavers when we find ourselves in the thick of those times when we feel like quitting.
Are you relying on yourself or on Christ to change your heart?
Written By: Cal Renner
Communications Team Member
