12/6

"But yet it is evident, that religion consists so much in affection, as that without holy affection there is no true religion" (Jonathan Edwards Religious Affections Part 1).


So we continue with talking about affections. Again the point I am aiming at here is that true Christianity is not just knowing stuff. It is not just doing good works. It is not just in our minds, nor in our hands. But it is also in our hearts. Where does our affection lie? And this is important because our heart is the fountain of our beliefs and actions. So we continue


The Bible presents a clear picture of a heart that has no affection for God whatsoever. This is a heart that leads to disobedient acts and an unbelieving mind. It is the hard heart. Here are a few passages to consider.


Ole' Pharaoh would not listen to God. Why? Exodus 7:1-3, Exodus 7:13-14.


Israel in the desert disobeyed God because of their hardened hearts, which led to unbelief. Psalm 95:7-11


In this passage, the Pharisees 1) refused a healing of an injured man, 2) refused to believe Jesus as the Messiah, and 3) worked to kill Jesus all because of their hardened hearts. Mark 3:5


And in Paul's missionary work, some in the synagogue refused to believe in Jesus as the Messiah because of their hard hearts. Acts 19:9


Now we can see that a hard heart leads to 1) unbelief and 2) disobedience.

The opposite of a heart of stone is a heart of flesh and a humble heart. Ezekiel 11:18-19. It is a gift from God. He changes our hearts from stone to flesh. This moves our affections and causes obedience.


2 Kings 22:19. It causes us to repent of our wrong ways and turn to God, asking for his grace and mercy.


This idea should change our perspective. We need to watch our hearts. Are softening or hardening towards God?


Also, this really changes how we preach. And it should affect how we pray for non-Christians. It shows why some people do not come to Christ. We are not just in the business of reaching people's minds, but we also aim at the heart. The heart is the fountain of belief and unbelief, faithfulness and faithlessness. Aim at the heart.

Finally, watch your heart. You are the only one who knows it. Proverbs 28:14