Monday, January 10, 2011

Craving More of Jesus: Heart Surgery

Craving More of Jesus: Heart Surgery: "Romans 2:29 A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God, true circumcision is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person w..."

Heart Surgery

Romans 2:29
A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God, true circumcision is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not people.

One thing I have learned over the years is that if I allow God's Spirit to change my heart then a change in my actions will follow.  If I just seek an outward change then I will not have an inward change.  God works from the inside out.

Let's dig a little deeper.
1.  This change of heart is produced by God's Spirit.- It is not something I can bring about on my own.  This change will be done by the Holy Spirit if I submit to His working and remolding in my life.  It is literally a surgery.  If you have ever had surgery, you know that it hurts!  From start to finish it is not any fun.  First you get an IV, then they give you some drugs to knock you out and the next thing you know you wake up in pain! Does that mean the surgery went wrong- NO, does it mean that you had an incompetent surgeon- NO, does it mean that you should not have gone through with the procedure and chosen an alternative method?  NO. Does the pain last forever?  NO.  In fact, we are willing to go through the pain knowing that the end result will be a good one.  The surgery actually HELPS us.

Well, God is the most gentle surgeon I know, yet when He begins surgery on our heart, it may hurt.  But we will recover and  the pain produces a good result.  We have a changed life and a new heart!  There is no alternative treatment for our sin problem other than the mighty hand of God performing surgery on us.

2.  A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not people-If one desires to seek praise from man, they can actually just change their actions when they're around the person from whom they seek praise.  They can basically put on a show.  Man can not see through into the heart as God can.  Therefore, it is easier to fool man, at least for a period of time.  But if one desires praise from God then they must have a changed heart.

Today, right now, admit yourselves into God's hospital.  Sign the consent giving God permission to do a heart operation on you.  Don't tie God's hands with your schedule or plans- just clear your schedule and let Him do what He needs to do.  All that matters in life can be summed up in just a few words:  "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"