Today’s Reading:
Acts 8:9-25
“You have neither part nor portion in this matter for your heart is not right in the sight of God”
( Acts 8:21)
The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9). Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34b). The Bible speaks of the heart in different dimensions. Putting some of the text together they reveal that the heart is so secretive that it can only be known by the person and God also if the person speaks. A man could be wicked inside yet he appears to be good on the outside.
Simon, a sorcerer and magician had been praised greatly by the people of Samaria because of his magic, after God took control through Philip, Simon also gave his life to Christ and started following the disciples. When he saw the working wonder of God through the Apostles, he offered money to receive such authority. In verses 20 and 21, Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you because you thought that the gifts of God could be bought with money. You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.’ Peter’s verdict gave me a concern. ‘Your heart is not right in the sight of God.’ Simon had given his life to Christ, he had been baptized, he had seen the working power of God, and he had been following the disciples though the scripture didn’t tell us how long he has been in the company of the saints it was obvious that there was virus in his heart. The condition of his heart was corrupt and perverse. As far as God is concerned once a man’s heart is not correct all his service and good lifestyle or intention before the Almighty is not acceptable.
My fear is, that so many people are in the shoes of Simon. They got born again, baptized and followed God, they have seen miracles yet what heaven is saying is that their heart is not correct. Friends, is your heart correct before your maker? I am not talking about good deeds, commitment to the things of God, preaching the gospel and winning souls into the kingdom. As much as all those things are beneficial and rewarding, if your heart is not correct then all those things are meaningless to heaven. Correctness of heart has to do with holiness within and without, living what you preach in the broad daylight and the dark, hating and fleeing from sin or any appearance of evil, guiding your heart against lust, soaking your heart with God’s word, not allowing your thought to stray anytime or any day, communicating with God in your heart always.
JAMES ALADE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud:
Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I believe and surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart, keep me from all evil, and lead me in Your righteous path. Thank You, Lord!
If you said the above short prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest, as the case may be.
Prayer:
Oh Lord, circumcise my heart in Jesus' name
Every pollution in my heart, I wash them with the blood of Jesus.
Evil arrows targeted against my heart backfire in Jesus' name
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