Acceptable Heart Condition!

When it comes to heart condition some may simply be in need of more exercise and better diet while others could require consultation with a physician and heart surgeon. To deal with heart difficulties the procedures range from angioplasty to radical heart surgery or the installation of a pacemaker or defibrillator. When it comes to spiritual heart condition, it is God to Whom we must turn for healing.

The statement has been made that “God demands a whole heart, but He accepts a broken one.” [source: list of sentence sermons] Note how the following two passages relate to this concept.

David wrote…
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART, O GOD, YOU WILL NOT DESPISE.” ( Psalm 51:17 ESV)

Remember Jesus’ response when asked about the greatest commandment.
“And he said to him, ‘You shall LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” ( Matthew 22:37 ESV)

There is a sense in which it takes a BROKEN (pierced, struck, touched, humbled) AND CONTRITE (penitent) HEART to draw us to God. The BROKEN HEART is one that has come to understand and therefore humbly and willingly turns to the One Who can bring the healing. Such is the converse of those who refuse to see their need. ( Isaiah 6:10 and Matthew 13:15) The hardhearted either deny His existence or their need for a relationship with Him. But as we come to God with a HEART BROKEN, humbly acknowledging we have not been right with God, He is able to bring the needed healing so that our spiritual health can be restored. Then as we recognize the great, gracious and merciful love God has for us, our love for Him and our obedience to Him can begin growing into WHOLEHEARTED faithfulness. (note Romans 6:17) Learning to deny the desires of self, we are then in a position to turn our attention to loving God with our WHOLE HEART or entire being; heart, soul, and mind. That is the spiritually healthy heart that will aid in maintaining a healthy relationship with God and His Will; a heart prepared for the longevity of an eternity with Him.

Have a great day WITH A HEALTHFUL HEART FOR GOD!
Carl

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