It's The Heart That Decides
It is clear to me from Romans 1:19 that God reveals Himself to every person who is born into this world. He does this through nature and just by showing Himself to them in their hearts. The heart is the seat of decision making, along with the mind. If a person refuses God, it is a matter of the heart. If a person decides to trust God, it is because the heart is open and trusting.
It is clear that environment plays a part in the formation of our heart. However, it is not the overriding factor. A person from a very non-believing environment can trust the Lord, while a person from a very devout environment can reject the Lord. Also, I am sure that personality enters in to the decision to trust the Lord, but I believe it is more how and when than if a person will trust the Lord or not. Finally, I am sure there are other factors, but God is faithful, and He gives everyone a sufficient chance to trust Him and to come to know Christ. Therefore, anyone who fails to trust God will be found to have no excuse when they stand before God.
This leads me to plead with everyone who will listen to be aware of the condition of your heart. Don't take it as a light matter. It determines your eternal destiny. If you have a hard heart, for whatever reason, plow up the ground of your heart and make it soft and pliable again, so God's Word can sink in deeply. If you have a good heart, do not take it for granted. Cultivate an open heart every day by asking God to show you anything that needs to be confessed so your heart can be clean and pure. Remember, from the heart flow the issues of life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 19-21.
It is clear that environment plays a part in the formation of our heart. However, it is not the overriding factor. A person from a very non-believing environment can trust the Lord, while a person from a very devout environment can reject the Lord. Also, I am sure that personality enters in to the decision to trust the Lord, but I believe it is more how and when than if a person will trust the Lord or not. Finally, I am sure there are other factors, but God is faithful, and He gives everyone a sufficient chance to trust Him and to come to know Christ. Therefore, anyone who fails to trust God will be found to have no excuse when they stand before God.
This leads me to plead with everyone who will listen to be aware of the condition of your heart. Don't take it as a light matter. It determines your eternal destiny. If you have a hard heart, for whatever reason, plow up the ground of your heart and make it soft and pliable again, so God's Word can sink in deeply. If you have a good heart, do not take it for granted. Cultivate an open heart every day by asking God to show you anything that needs to be confessed so your heart can be clean and pure. Remember, from the heart flow the issues of life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 19-21.