The Heart of the Business

... or, put another way, ‘The Business of the Heart’.

I expect you’ve noticed it already ... the start of the political battles of ‘I’m better than so-and-so’ and ‘you can’t trust such-and-such’ that will fill our news bulletins until the General Election in May.  How can we know who to trust, who to vote for, when they all claim virtually the same thing?

I won’t presume to offer an answer to that question.  However – in the spirit of ‘The Gospel Around Us’ – I’d like to suggest that, when you encounter any mention in the coming weeks of the election and the claims and counter-claims of those involved in the electoral process, you see this as a ‘trigger’ to remind you of something else.  Instead of trying to judge between one candidate and another, why not consider for a moment or two how God judges us?

When He was confronted by the man-made hand-washing rituals of the Pharisees, Jesus explained how it wasn’t what was outside the body that makes a man unclean, but what is generated within him, i.e. what comes from his heart (Mark 7:14ff.)  He provided a neat list of the sort of evils that come from within and make a man unclean (vv. 21-23).

How long before the start of January do you begin to consider your New Year Resolutions?  How does this compare to your lead-in to what disciplines you will attempt to observe during Lent ... or will you simply try to avoid chocolate as usual?

Jesus’ list of ‘stuff’ that comes from our sinful hearts: “evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly” seems endless; Paul provides us with another list that is even longer: “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like” (Gal. 5:19-21).  These are the NIV translation; others differ, and there is some overlap in the definitions of some of the words used.  Nevertheless, it’s possible to identify here a good score of distinct sinful behaviours that our hearts might generate.

We might reckon – with some truth – that many of these items don’t apply to us; but we should guard against complacency.  Look at the comparison to be found in Luke 18:11-13.  The Pharisee seemed content with those virtues that he professed, but the other man’s simple acknowledgement, though not specific, was all-embracing, and earned the true reward (v.14).

We could get depressed as we examine ourselves on each of those twenty or so identifiably separate charges in those lists.  All those evil deeds, impure thoughts, unfulfilled good intentions ... what hope is there for any of us?  In a sermon I heard recently the preacher presented to his hearers the supreme perspective offered by Easter: “Those attitudes and actions Jesus speaks about won't take control of your character. Instead the character of Christ will become more and more evident in you. There is no problem of an unclean heart that cannot be solved by turning to Jesus.”

Have a happy, and positive, Lent this year!