The New Heart Series

God is angry with man's heart; he has a hatred for man's depraved nature, and he will have it taken away, he will have it totally cleansed before he will admit that man into any communion with Himself—and above all, into the sweet communion of heaven. There is, therefore, a demand for a new nature, and we must have it, or otherwise we can never see the face of God. And now for my second point, I want to try to describe for you, very briefly:

THE NATURE OF THIS GREAT CHANGE WHICH THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS IN US.

And, I’ll begin by saying that it is a work of God from first to last. God alone can give a man a new heart and a new nature. "Salvation is of the Lord alone;" this truth will stand the test of time, because it is the indisputable truth of God. And this truth, applies to this indispensable part of salvation; the making of a new heart within us. That must be God's work, since man cannot reform himself.

But how can man give himself a new heart? How can man put a new heart into himself, given that the heart is what motivates all life, and must exert itself before anything can be done? But how could an old heart, by its own efforts, bring forth a new heart? I have heard of some kind of insects that when they have lost their legs, they are able to grow new ones. But take away the source of power, the heart, and what power is there that can repair it, unless it’s a power from above?

My friends, there hasn’t been a man yet who can make himself a new heart. Only God can make a new heart and put new life into the soul, and most likely, He will have to overcome a man’s resistance against it. Once, again, this all happens because of God grace. When God puts a new heart into man, it is not because man deserves a new heart; the Lord simply gives a man a new heart because he wishes to do so; that’s his only reason.

It could be that someone would ask, "Suppose a man was earnestly seeking for a new heart, would he get one?" I’m sorry to say it’s impossible; so long as the man's heart is depraved and vile, he will never do such a thing. The fact is, no man ever did, or ever will seek a new heart, or a right spirit, until, first of all, God’s Spirit begins to draw him. I want to emphasize again, a man is saved by grace through faith, not by any effort of his own.

When God first begins the work of changing the heart, he finds the man is totally against such a thing. It’s natural for a man to kick and struggle against God, because he doesn’t want to be saved.

Now, allow me to tell you about my struggle with the Holy Spirit. I must confess I never would have been saved, if I could have helped it. I rebelled and revolted, and struggled against God as long as I could. Then one day I heard some preaching, and a tear rolled down my cheek. I wiped it away and defied him, but the pull of the Spirit was too powerful and it began to melt my heart. Finally, I couldn’t resist any longer. I was only nine, and I was alone, but I moved from the pew and walked to the alter. It’s been 67 years, but I could still show you the very spot where I accepted Jesus for my Savior.