I really struggled when I first became a Christian. Yes, I was raised in the Catholic school system for many years thinking that I was a Christian and that I was not going to hell because I was a member of the church. I received the shock of all shocks when I started studying the Bible with an acquaintance and found that there was no ever-burning hell and there was more to salvation than going to church on Sundays. But beyond that was the realization that I was sinful according to the Bible. What you need to understand is that I had a lot of self! I was good—I thought! I was not a sinner—I thought!
We may all “profess” to be Christians, but there are some things that will reflect in our hearts and lives that help us to understand where we are in our Christian walk. What are some of the attributes of an unrenewed heart?
“In his sinless state, man held joyful communion with Him [God] ‘in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge’ (Colossians 2:3). But after his sin, he could no longer find joy in holiness, and he sought to hide from the presence of God. Such is still the condition of the unrenewed heart.
- It is not in harmony with God, and
- finds no joy in communion with Him.
- The sinner could not be happy in God’s presence;
- he would shrink from the companionship of holy beings.
- Could he be permitted to enter heaven, it would have no joy for him.
- The spirit of unselfish love that reigns there—every heart responding to the heart of Infinite Love—would touch no answering chord in his soul.
- His thoughts, his interests, his motives, would be alien to those that actuate the sinless dwellers there.
- He would be a discordant note in the melody of heaven.” Steps to Christ, 17.
I found that I really was a “discordant note” among Christians because I was so much of the world. I gave my heart to the Lord and an amazing transformation then took place. Have you searched your heart lately? Does it fit into heavenly places or is it more at home in this world? Is your heart renewed or un-renewed? Your heart is either one or the other!
Make a heart commitment right now and quell the discordant note.
Heavenly Father: Thank You for the gift of a new heart, a renewed heart that You proffer to each one of us. I do not want to be a discordant note, or to shrink from the companionship of angels or of Christian brethren because I have not accepted that new heart. I thank You for the joy of being able to sit quietly in heavenly places here on earth and for the prospect of being admitted into heaven at Your coming. Amen.