The Heart Of the Matter

Christianity is the religion of change.  The word often used is conversion.  Jesus used it in Matthew 18 when He said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (verse 3).  Jesus stated conversion is so important that one cannot enter the kingdom of heaven without it. So if one desires heaven after this life conversion must occur.  So what does it mean to be converted?

Conversion means change.  It is defined as follows: “1. the act or an instance of converting or the process of being converted, esp. in belief or religion” (The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus page 308).  Convert is defined as: “1. change in form, character, or function” (Oxford page 308).  What is the change which takes place in a person who is converted?

Some believe the change is in the convert’s actions, he or she stops sinning.  This is true, one who has undergone conversion should live differently.  What is the key to this change in lifestyle?  It should be a changed heart for the heart is the seat of conduct.  Jesus had a conversation with some Jewish leaders about the Jewish ritual of washing hands.  This was a ceremonial act to remove any defilement from someone who was unclean.  Jesus responded by saying, “those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man” Matthew 15:18-20).

The change in action is a result of a change of heart.  Repentance is a key ingredient in the process.  The words of Paul found in Acts 26:20 illustrate this. Paul said he preached the following:  “But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”  The phrase “meet for repentance” in the King James is translated as ‘befitting repentance” in the New King James.  Notice the works, or actions, indicate repentance has taken place, they show the change of heart in action.

This process of heart change is continuing one for the Christian.  James wrote, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:8).  John wrote, “ And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (I John 3:3).  The hope John wrote of is the hope of seeing and being like Jesus, the hope of every Christian (verse 2).

Christianity is an inside out religion.  That is, it begins on the inside with the heart and manifests itself on the outside through the actions of the Christian.  It is religion which requires we continue to monitor the external actions and ask if they are consistent with New Testament teaching.  If they are not, then the source of the action, the heart, must be examined and cleansed.

How do your actions look when examined in light of Jesus’ teaching?  How is your heart?

—Denny