Hearts on Fire

"Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?" So asked the disciples who were going to a village called Emmaus.

As you look forward to Easter this Sunday, ask yourself this question: when was the last time you could honestly say that your heart burned within you - in love for God, in desire for his presence, in the pursuit of holiness, in hatred of the sins that cripple and maim you and those around you? When was the last time your heart was set on fire for God and for the spread of his Kingdom?

The opposite of the burning heart is, of course, the indifferent heart, the apathetic heart, the heart that isn't moved, isn't alive, and isn't passionate. The indifferent, apathetic heart experiences God the way one experiences television or political gossip - just another diversion that leaves us cold and unaffected.

In 1746, Jonathan Edwards wrote one of the most important books in the history of Christianity titled Religious Affections. In it, Edwards describes the affections as "the vigorous or intense inclination of our hearts toward or away from something."

Edwards was keen to show that true Christianity had an intensity about it. We are urged by the apostle Paul "to be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." (Romans 12:11) According to Edwards, true faith is exactly opposite the "typical weak, dull and lifeless wishes" which characterize most indifferent churchgoers. Without a person's affections being touched and ignited, there is no salvation, nor is there any real desire to move away from sin and toward the pursuit of God. By the affections, Edwards refers to the fear of the Lord, hatred of sin, hunger and thirst after righteousness, holy joy, godly sorrow, heart-felt pity, true thankfulness, zeal for God and love.

What is your heart condition this Easter? Do you feel spiritually alive? Full of passion? Eager and excited about your relationship with Jesus? Or do you feel cold, lifeless, unmotivated - a person with notions of God, but with little real spirituality.

If you feel cold, or at best lukewarm (Revelation 3:16) this Easter, here are some things you can do to gain a burning heart:

1. Pray - Your first duty to God, yourself, and to the world around you each day is to pray. Pray that you could feel what David in the Psalms felt. Pray that you could be lit on fire like Paul. Pray that God would strike your heart to hate sin and what sin does in your life and in the lives of others.

2. Praise - Sing to the Lord! Privately praise the Lord. Publicly lift your hands and your voice to him. God is pleased to ignite the hearts of those who worship him.

3. Meditate - Focus your mind upon deep spiritual truths. Meditate upon the cross and the wounds of Christ. Let the eyes of your heart gaze upon the hands, the feet, the side, and the face of the crucified Son of God. Let the cross set you on fire! Meditate upon your eternal judgment, and upon your future in your resurrected body upon a new earth free from the stain of sin. Thrilled yet? Stop drifting from diversion to diversion. Pause! Think deeply! Drink deeply from deep spiritual wells!

4. Read - Read the Bible, of course. And read the great classics of the faith - books like Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, and Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards. (Religious Affections is available in an excellent, updated and edited version by Dr. James Houston. It is in our bookstore.)

Allow the Lord to set your heart on fire this Good Friday and Easter.

With a pastor's love,
Rich

Fun fact from our recent survey: Members and small group attenders were 40% more likely to have a regular devotional time with God than non-members and non-small group attenders. Membership and small group attendance help!