Out of the Abundance of the Heart

Out of the Abundance of the Heart

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Luke 6:43-45.  "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. "For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

This week a pastor of a large congregation spoke words that drove the knife of racism deeply into the hearts of the wounded and fed the divisive spirit that is prevalent in our nation. When he was confronted, he tearfully apologized.

He is like many of us.  We quickly apologize for what we say.  We rarely, if ever, apologize for what we think.  An apology for what we have said is only superficial.  It does not address the root issue.  How can we chop down the tree unless we lay the axe to the root.

How often have we, with deep repentance,  prayed as David prayed:   Psalm 139: 23-25 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;  And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

No matter which side of the political and social divide you are on, please pray with me. “Oh God, I want to know where my thinking is wrong, where it is perverted and contorted.  I want to allow the mind of Christ to indwell we.  I want to think as you think.  I want to be as you are.”

The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome:  Romans 12: 1-2: “ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Our heart’s cry must be, “Father God, I am willing to be transformed by the renewing of my mind.  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.

Only then, will we lay the axe to the root.  Only then will we be transformed.

Jesus said in John 7: 38.  "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.''  The river of God is to flow from the hearts of His people.  That river is to bring life where ever it flows.  (Ezekiel 47)