A Changed Heart Equals A Changed Life

No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. [Romans 2.29]

There are a lot of people out there who believe that, because 'God knows their heart,' they are good with Him. But what Paul reveals here is that our heart must be right with God. Our heart must be changed by the Spirit of God. Paul furthermore reveals that there will be evidence of this change because their efforts will be for God's pleasure and not just to be seen by people.

What is said here completely blows "secret sin" out of the water. The same people who say, "...but God knows my heart" typically precede that phrase by describing their struggle with some particular sin. The fact is, God does know their heart - that it is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17.9). This poor deceived person looks at sin in their lives - the evidence they are living for themselves and not for God - and foolishly declares himself (or herself) innocent! The only reason people say "but God knows my heart" is so that people who hear it will give them kudos for so doing as if the sin means nothing (and all hell applauds their testimony)!

Regardless what conventional religion has consoled ignorant people with, a changed heart equals a changed life. No longer will a changed person ever feel compelled to tell others, "God knows my heart" because THEY ARE CHANGED - God indeed knows their heart because their lives are spent pleasing God.

It is worth pointing out here that a changed heart is not my decision but rather the work of the Holy Spirit. In other words, just because I say my heart is changed (thus excusing myself to others saying, "God knows my heart"), does not mean God's Spirit has produced a changed heart in me! A change of heart is only produced by the Holy Spirit!

Since the work of the Spirit is involved in this matter, it would be prudent to measure ourselves by Jesus Who said:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

If Jesus qualified Himself as having the Spirit of God based on these evidences of pleasing God, what makes us think we have the Spirit of God without these evidences? How completely ridiculous is it for us to think merely saying, "but God knows my heart" serves as a substitute for the changed heart the Spirit produces (a changed heart that then produces the works of God)? And yet "religion" panders to this nonsense week after week - people come and go to and from church unchanged with no evidence of the Spirit's work from a changed heart. There is a real disconnect here.

People, we must get right with God before it's too late! Religion and going to church does not save us! We must measure ourselves, not by ourselves, but by God's Word. Jesus clearly defined what "Holy Spirit" change looks like - it hasn't changed! Do we dare stand before God and say, "Well... you know my heart..."?

Father, as I write this, I am convicted to my core for all the nonsensical excuses I have given myself for sin in my life. Forgive me this wrong! Holy Spirit change me! Only You can do it - I certainly cannot!