Questions from Our Readers

Dear children, what is meant by your heart? All of us have a heart. It is one of the most, if not the most, important organs of one’s body. It is the first organ which lives and beats in a human being and the last organ which dies. A surgeon can amputate a leg and an arm, remove a kidney or the gallbladder, cut out a piece of the stomach, but to remove the heart would immediately lead to death. Look at your heart as a most important treasure where the most important things of your life are kept. We read of Samson that he told Delilah “all his heart”; that means everything! When children step on their parent’s heart, it means they really hurt their dad or mom. When the Lord says, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart…” it means totally. David said in his heart, “I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul.” His fears for death bothered him very deeply.

Children, you see that the heart means more than just that important organ in your body. It has more meaning, a deeper meaning. Spiritually, the heart refers to the place in your life where all your desires, emotions, thoughts, and even your will live. It is the place where your feelings are formed and your decisions are made. It is the place where all that is of you is bundled; it is your heart. The Bible tells us, though, that this secret place of yours is no longer a good place. Neither is it a safe place. This is because in Paradise we gave our heart not to the Lord but to Satan. This is why the Bible often speaks about the heart of man in a negative way. Look up in your Bible the following texts: Mark 7:21-23, Jeremiah 17:9-10 and Ezekiel 36:25-27. I know these texts may be difficult for you in some ways, but you will notice that they speak about two things: how bad the heart is and that the Lord can change that heart. Will you ask the Lord daily for this? You need it, and the Lord is able and willing to give it. David prays in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Dear children, a new heart is necessary, but I do not tell you only that it is necessary. It is also possible, from God’s side. A new heart, given and worked by God’s Holy Spirit brings forth good things. It is pleasing to the Lord because He works it. His work is always to His honor and glory.

In the Canons of Dort, we read that the Lord works a new heart in us but without our aid (help.) Usually this takes place under the use of the means such as the faithful reading and preaching of the Word. This is God’s common way to work and give it. You and I are unable to give ourselves such a heart, but use the means diligently and faithfully. Remember also, where this is worked by the Lord, all the things mentioned earlier about your evil heart will change. You will receive new desires, new thoughts, and even a new will. Then you learn to strive against all that is wrong with that old heart. You will be sad about all the wrong you do and have done. You will ask for forgiveness of your sins and long for more knowledge of that new heart. You will learn to hate what the Lord hates and love what the Lord loves. Ask your parents or teacher to explain article 12 of the Chapter 3 and 4 of the Canons of Dordt to you.

Dear parents and teachers, when speaking about a new heart to our children, do it in such a way as John Flavel did when he wrote: “The greatest difficulty in conversion is to win the heart to God, and after conversion to keep it with Him.” We can never speak too evil of our natural heart and never speak too well about God who works His grace in such hearts. What is impossible with man is possible with God.

Send your questions to Rev. H. Hofman, 2339 Deer Trail Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, or hofman@premieronline.net.

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