Romans - Part 5: ELECTIONSample

It’s A Heart Job

Romans 10:10 states ‘For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved.’

What is “the heart?” In anatomical terms, it's the organ in which life-sustaining blood is pumped and circulated throughout our body. Paul isn’t referring to our actual physical heart, though. He’s referring to our center, our soul, what makes us, us. Much like our heart organ, our spiritual heart will circulate what is housed within it. If our spiritual core, our “heart,” is housing rotten garbage, [unrepented sin, jealousy, rage, lust, bitterness, pride to name a few examples] then our heart isn't flowing with rivers of living water. Hearts with no living water are hard and unable to receive. If we can't receive from the Lord, if we do not possess a teachable spirit, then who is actually working from within our heart?? In an effort to establish our own righteousness, we completely miss the gift God is offering us: HIS SON. This is a very scary thought, and it is one that shouldn’t be taken lightly or dismissed. This should be a sobering thought that guides us on a daily spiritual quest for a deeper personal connection with God's Word in search of who God is. Many will trip over the stumbling stone, in search of importance by works, and leave out the faith. Are we in possession of outward zeal for God, but lacking the same zeal to KNOW CHRIST?

"I want to have a heart that is solely for You Lord. I believe that you care for my heart, help me. Guide me on Your path to a clean heart. I want to confess with my mouth my undying love for You and have those words reflect the contents of a pure heart. You are the potter, I am the clay; mold me."

Why so much emphasis on the heart? What we value most is what captures our heart!

It's a heart job, through and through. Everything affects our heart, either to enrich our relationship with God or to detract and compromise. Turning our heart over to God, initially, is to be justified (forgiveness purchased by Christ's shed blood so that we can come to God); the daily recommitment thereafter is how we usher in our surrender to the lifelong process of sanctification (becoming more like Jesus). To skip this daily rhythm is death to our heart. The mouth doesn't do the deep heart work (sanctification); Jesus does. By coming to the end of self, in obedience to His Word, we open the door and allow Him into our mess; and we concede control. We get the beautiful reward, the privilege, of celebrating the recovery of who we were created to be. Jesus changes everything from a heart willing to submit to the job at hand. Is your heart a work in progress?

-Ardena Hamill