The Heart # 4

The Heart # 4

Think not to say within yourself, "I quite approve of all you all say, and hope to examine the state of my heart someday." Oh, beware of such thoughts! Life is uncertain. Eternity is close at hand, and yet you talk of putting off preparation to meet God. Alas, that habit of putting off is the everlasting ruin of millions of souls!

(2) I wish, in the next place, to offer a SOLEMN WARNING to all who know their hearts are wrong - but have no desire to change. I know not how to exaggerate the danger of your condition. I warn you that if your heart is wrong in the sight of God, you are hanging over the brink of hell! There is but a step between you and everlasting death.

Can you really suppose that any man or woman will ever enter heaven without a right heart? "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord" (John 3:3; Heb. 12:14). It is not enough to have your sins pardoned, as many seem to suppose. There is another thing needed as well as a pardon, and that thing is a new heart.  We must have the Holy Spirit to renew us, as well as Christ's blood to wash us. Both renewing and washing are needful before anyone can be saved.

Do you think that, if you entered heaven without a right heart, you would be happy? Away with this delusion! Cast it from you at once and forever! You must have a "fitness" for the inheritance of the saints" before you can enjoy it. (Col. 1:12). Your tastes must be brought into harmony with those of saints and angels before you can delight in their company. 

Harden not your heart. Believe it. Act upon it. Awake and arise to newness of life without delay. One thing is certain. Whether you hear the warning or not, God will not go back from what He has said. "If we believe not, He abides faithful - He cannot deny Himself" (2 Tim. 2:13).

(3) I wish, thirdly, to offer COUNSEL to all who know their hearts are wrong - but desire to make them right. That counsel is short and simple. I advise you to apply at once to the Lord Jesus Christ, and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Entreat Him, as a lost and ruined sinner, to receive you, and supply the needs of your soul. And to the Lord Jesus, I entreat you to apply without delay.  I thank God that I can lift up Christ before you, and say boldly, Look at Christ - Seek Christ - Go to Christ. For what did Christ do all this - but to provide complete salvation for poor sinners like you and me. He wants to pour out the Holy Spirit on all who will come to Him. Mercy and grace - pardon and a new heart, all this Jesus is ready to apply to you by His Spirit, if you will come to Him. 

(4) I wish, lastly, to offer an EXHORTATION  to all whose hearts have been made right in the sight of God.

Is your heart right? Then be thankful! Is your heart right? Then be humble and watchful. Is your heart right? Then be hopeful. There are no hearts which it is impossible for Christ to cure! 

Finally, let me entreat all right-hearted readers to look onward and forward to the day of Christ's second coming. A time draws near when satan will be bound, and Christ"s saints shall be changed - when all sin shall no more vex us, and the sight of sinners shall no more sadden our minds - when believers shall at length attend on God without distraction, and love Him with a perfect heart. The night is far spent, The day is at hand.Surely if our hearts are right, we ought often to cry, "Come quickly - come Lord Jesus!"

~J. C. Ryle~

(The End)