HAS
THE LORD OPENED YOUR HEART?
HAS THE LORD GOD EVER OPENED YOUR HEART? In the Book of Acts
chapter sixteen and in verse fourteen, we read of "A certain woman named
Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God: WHOSE HEART THE LORD OPENED."
There are many instructive points of interest in the story of Lydia's
conversion. Her conversion was brought about by PROVIDENTIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. She was a business woman who made her
living in the city of Thyatira by selling purple. But Just at the right time we
find her in Philippi, where providence had also brought the Apostle Paul
preaching the gospel. Providence, which is the handmaid of grace, led her to
the place where grace would be shown at the time grace had appointed. Again, GRACE WAS PREPARING HER SOUL FOR THE
BLESSING OF ETERNAL SALVATION. Grace prepares the heart which grace has
marked for its home. Lydia did not know the Savior; but, being a Jew, she knew
many truths which became for her excellent stepping-stones to a knowledge of
Christ. HER CONVERSION TOOK PLACE BY THE
USE OF CERTAIN MEANS. On the sabbath day she went to the place "where
prayer was wont to be made", and there she heard the gospel and was
converted. Do not ever neglect the means of grace. God has ordained that men be
saved through the preaching of the gospel. If you hope to obtain mercy and
eternal salvation, you would be wise to find a place where God speaks to men
through one of his preachers. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
Word of God." Notice now the words, “WHOSE
HEART THE LORD OPENED." Lydia did not open her own heart. Her prayers
did not do it. Paul did not do it. The Lord himself must open the heart to
receive grace, mercy, and eternal life. Christ alone holds the key to the door
of man's heart. He alone can open the door and get admittance for himself. He
who is the heart's Maker is the heart's Master. The Lord opened Lydia's heart.
Has he opened your heart?
Here are three things which
evidence the fact that the Lord had opened her heart. First Lydia BELIEVED
on the Lord Jesus Christ. "She attended to the things which were spoken by
Paul." Paul had declared Christ to be both Lord and Savior. No sooner had
he spoken these things than her heart was opened. In her heart, Lydia bowed to
Christ the Lord, trusting him alone as her Savior. Secondly, her faith displayed itself in OBEDIENCE to Christ. As soon as she believed on Christ, she was
baptized. It is a sweet sign of a humble and broken heart, when the child of
God willingly obeys a command which is not essential to his salvation, which is
not forced upon him by a selfish fear of condemnation, but is a simple act of
obedience to his Master. True faith is always obedient faith. Where there is
true faith in Christ as Savior, there is also a willing obedience to Christ as
Lord. The third evidence that
the Lord had opened Lydia's heart is LOVE.
When the Lord opens the heart these three graces will always appear: faith,
obedience, and love. Lydia's love for Christ manifested itself in acts of
grateful kindness to the apostles. Love to the saints has always been the mark
of true conversion. Our Lord said, "By this shall all men know that ye are
my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John said, "We know
that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that
loveth not his brother abideth in death."
HAS THE LORD GOD OPENED YOUR HEART? If there is in your heart FAITH IN CHRIST, OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST,
and LOVE TOWARD THE PEOPLE OF GOD,
it is because the Lord has opened your heart. If you lack these things, it is
because the Lord has not yet opened your heart. O Lord God; ever graciously
open the hearts of chosen, redeemed sinners by your almighty, irresistible
grace, for Christ’s sake. AMEN.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For
Today Radio Message #696
2734 Old Stanford Road -
Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S.
Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net