What is this heart that God is talking about? The secret place, deep inside you, where you keep certain thoughts and decisions which no one knows, sometimes we ourselves may not realise. Lovers know the heart conditions. If you love someone, a small good word from him or her makes your heart feel so good; at the same time a bad word hurts a lot. We will be doing things that are pleasing in the sight of man but deep inside us, in the heart, we might be thinking otherwise. “”Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 (ESV) How many are sincere to our hearts? It needs a lot of sincerity to find out what our hearts are upto. I think ones heart becomes pure when you are true to it. Check it, now and then, with the Word of God and purify it. Proverbs 4:20-23(ESV)
The Parable of the Sower: Matthew 13:18-23(ESV) Word – Seed & Heart – Fertile land. What you sow is what you reap. Word of God or Word of the World are seeds. Even if you sow Word of God, the following 4 different kinds of Land exist Jesus said.
- Pathway – Do not understand the Word at all
- Rocky place – Persecution for the Word disturbs
- Thorny – Worries of life & deceitfulness of wealth crushes
- Good soil – Understands the Word & produces results
(1) Jesus’ 1st Commandment: Love God with all your heart, mind and soul. Matthew 22:37-38(ESV) “”If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 (ESV) Not 10 commandments because we are not under Moses Law. But Jesus’ commandments. Our sins are forgiven forever. Our duty is to keep the Commandments of Jesus. Viz. Give to all those who ask you, do not deny. Pay the tithe as well as give your heart to God, do justice and show mercy. Forgive so that your sins will be forgiven. Pray in secret so that God can bless you openly. Do not pray long prayers thinking you would be heard by God only then. When you fast let no one know it. Do not sin even in your thoughts. Treat others as the way you want them to treat you..the list goes on.
(2) Jesus’ 2 nd commandment: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Matthew 22:39-40(ESV) Check whether our intentions for others are good. All the law and prophets hang in this. Now the question arises, who is your neighbour? Good Samaritan is the neighbour to the one got hurt.Why can’t we love those who helped us? Does not God make it easy for us by saying Love your God who gave His Life for you and love the Neighbour who helped you? What are your motives, the hidden agenda, when you go around doing daily work? SELFISHNESS or pleasing God by blessing others? Do you go out thinking how can I bless somebody today or what can I achieve today and get it done for me?
God looks at your Heart. Jesus said in Matthew 12:33-35(ESV) The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. Matthew 15:16-20 (ESV) Some of the things we can do to purify our hearts. 1) Desire to do God’s Will. 2 Chronicles 16:9(ESV) God can help you if you depend on Him and not on your own strength. 2) Delight in the Lord. Psalms 37:4(ESV) Keep yourself occupied with the Love Jesus showered on you. 3) Let peace rule in your heart. Colossians 3:15-16(ESV) Keep your Peace in every situation. Isaiah 48:17-19(ESV) Jesus said “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'”” John 7:38 (ESV)