HEART WORK

I recently ordered, entitled Instruction About Heartwork, by Richard Alliene (1611-1691). I haven’t started reading it yet because I’m presently interspersing my reading of several commentaries on Romans with the reading and rereading of the Book of Romans itself. But, I think it’s providential that this new book arrived when it did, and sets on my desk, its title (1) reminding me daily of the importance of heart work, (2) helping me notice, as I read the Book of Romans, the evidence of heart work there was in Paul’s life, and (3) to look for evidence of the same in my own life.

in Romans chapter 1, verses 8-16, the apostle Paul reveals five evidences of genuine heart work  that had taken place, and was taking place, in his  own heart. I’ll comment on each of  these over the next five days.

Heart Work Evidence #1—A Thankful Spirit

The first evidence of heart work in Paul’s life is seen in his thankful spirit. Greeting the saints in Rome he says in verse 8, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” We who “name the name of Christ” (2 Tim. 2:19) should never underestimate the importance of our having and maintaining an attitude of gratitude and a perspective that sees everyone and everything in our lives through a lens of thanksgiving.

Thanklessness is a terrible, debilitating and disgraceful sin (Rom. 1:21; 2 Tim.. 3:2; Ps. 100:4). A thankful heart on the other hand, is empowering. Thankfulness is essential to our being in the will of God, and an antidote to the quenching the Holy Spirit. It’s also conducive to our having strong joyful faith, a robust prayer life and the ability to overcome the disappointing and discouraging events of life, and evil itself (1 Thess. 5:16-19; Rom. 12:21).

It would behoove us all to take a lesson fromm the great Shawnee war chief and statesman Tecumseh who said, “When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself.” Someone else once said, “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions.” I think both he and Tecumseh were right. I also think that thankfulness ranks at the top of the list of Christian virtues. How much heart work relative to thankfulness do you think is evident in your life?