IN THE FIELD OF medical science today, tremendous strides are being made towards the prevention and cure of heart disease. Scripture states that "the life of the flesh is in the blood;" thus the heart, which pumps 4,000 gallons of blood through the human body each day, is a vital organ in the sustaining of life.

As we focus our eyes on the Word of God, we find the heart mentioned over 700 times! However, in most cases this word "heart" does not refer to the organ that pumps the blood, but rather to the inward person himself.

THE DEFILING HEART

"The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart"
(I Samuel 16:7).

Christ thus exposes the total depravity of man by saying, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man" (Mark 7:21-23). Yes, even evil thoughts and foolishness defile - and who can claim exemption from them? Some say, "Give your heart to Jesus." Since when does God want a thing that He describes as "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9)? We have a defiling heart!

THE DECEIVED HEART

"A deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul" (Isaiah 44:20).

Israel had turned from God to idols as a result of a deceived heart. They prayed unto a god that couldn't save, and God was wearied with their iniquities (Isaiah 45:20; 43:24).

Today, the souls of many have been turned aside through a deceived heart. Reformation, good works, church membership, baptism, and a host of other things are being offered, from many pulpits, as a means of obtaining eternal salvation. What deception! Numbers of our youth who have seen the religious hypocrisy that exists have turned to Hinduism, Yogi, Islamism and other various Asian cults. Their deceived hearts have moved them even farther away from God's salvation, and God is wearied with their iniquities.

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12).

A HARDENED HEART

"But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them" (Exodus 8:15).

God dealt with Pharaoh in various ways. Instead of humbling himself before God, he hardened his heart, and later fell under God's judgment. Pharaoh who said, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice?" (Exodus 5:2), died in his sins and went to hell.

God deals with hearts today! Many cry to Him in their distress and He delivers them. Then, instead of turning to Him for salvation, they harden their hearts and continue in their sin. These souls treasure up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath (Romans 2:5), and make it harder than ever to be saved. Does the reader have a hardened heart?

"To day if ye will hear His voice,
Harden not your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7,8).

AN HONEST AND GOOD HEART

In Luke 8:5-15, the Lord speaks of the Word of God being sown on "good ground." These "are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." Ground must be prepared before it can be sown. In like manner, God has to prepare the heart to receive His Word before salvation can take place. He puts in the plow and turns the sinner "inside out" to show him that he is lost, guilty, condemned already, and headed for hell because of his sin. This awakening is called "conviction of sin." Making a commitment to or a decision for Christ is not salvation! Having a preacher tell you you're saved because you believe a Bible verse is not salvation! King Agrippa believed the Bible, yet was not a Christian (Acts 26:27,28)! And certainly giving your defiling heart to the Lord is not salvation! The Son of God says, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Conviction of sin and repentance is a must before faith can be placed in the Lord Jesus for salvation (Acts 20:21). Much sham exists in the religious world today, but true Christians can be recognized by the fact that they keep the Word of God and bring forth fruit. They act like Christ in their lives.

Perhaps you are longing to know your sins forgiven, and realize you are lost. Then drink in the truth of this closing verse, take God at His Word, believe with all your heart on the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, and be saved for eternity.

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth
the Lord Jesus (Confessing Jesus to
be your Lord), and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised Him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the
heart man believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation. For the scripture saith,
Whosoever believeth on Him shall not
be ashamed." (Romans 10:9-11)