The Heart of the Matter

Tragic.  Horrifying.  Vicious.  Wicked.  Despicable.  Evil.  Senseless.

These are just a few of the words used that have been used recently to describe the tragic events all around the world.

We wrestle and try to understand the reasons behind why people do these kinds of things, but the reality is we cannot fully know the true intent of the individuals that committed these wicked and evil acts.  We cannot fully know the reasons that, in their hearts and minds, justified committing these acts.  We just cannot fully know the “why”.  Many want to gain some insight into their thinking or motives so that we can explain the outcome.  Perhaps the better question to ask is “what” or “where” the real root of the motivation is.  What is the ultimate source of their evil actions?  The answer is actually not that hard to find.  In fact it is stated very clearly in the Bible. The source of the problem is the heart of man.

In Matthew 15:19, says “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, etc…”  So there it is, the source of the problem, man’s heart.  That then begs the question…can we fix it?  Can we know how to fix a man’s heart?  Well, in Jeremiah 17:9 it says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”  So if the problem is the deceitful and wicked heart of man, and we as humans cannot truly know it, what is the answer?  What do we do?  How do we fix it?  Well…WE can’t!

But don’t be discouraged.  There is a solution.

But it is not found in the halls of Congress, or enacted from the bench of the Supreme Court.  It is not found in the policies created by elected officials, or in the violent protests seen around the world. It is not found in the self-help books, or the power of positive thinking.  In fact, the solution can not be achieved by anything that mankind can do or say or think.

The solution is found in a saving relationship with Christ Jesus alone.

Only Christ Jesus can make a person a new creation, creating in them a new heart, and bringing about lasting change.  Second Corinthians 5:17 says “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  That includes the heart of a man.  And perhaps one of the best ways for people to come to know Jesus and to have their heart changed for all eternity, is for them to hear it from someone that has experienced that heart change first-hand.

Today more than ever we need to demonstrate a Christ-like love to our neighbors.  This is not the kind of love that says “Hey look at me…I am loving people…check me out.”  But rather the private, personal kind of love that seeks to heal, encourage, support, and show compassion.  It comes in everyday conversations and activities.  People need to see in us, and hear from each of us, of our love for them, and of Christ’s great love, grace and mercy.   We need to love others as Christ loves us.  We need to love with humility, boldness, and grace.  We need to intentionally and abundantly love our neighbors in real, tangible, and practical ways.

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.  Let’s make today the day that we become compelled by Christ’s love for us, and to love others as never before.