Heart Problem

8/15/2020

John 3:7 “Ye must be born again.”

Right before I sat down this evening to write, I read a very bold Facebook post from an old friend of mine and Randy’s. He recounted a story of how the actor Steve McQueen had finally met Billy Graham after watching Billy’s crusades on TV for a long time. Steve shared this with Billy, “I used to drink to forget my guilt after you preached. I wanted what you preached but wasn’t willing to pay the price.” There is certainly a price of confessing my sin and leaving the things of this world behind, but it is nothing compared to the price Jesus paid on the cross for me. Thankfully, Steve eventually did yield to Jesus before his death at the age of 50.

Our friend also wrote about how there is not a Jesus problem in our world, there is a heart problem. Steve had it, I had it, even Billy had it. We all have a heart problem until we come to the foot of the cross and recognize the price that Jesus paid our sin. We cannot just have a historical knowledge of Jesus, but there has to be a deep soul and heart connection, a yielding to Him. I prefer the word “yield” to “decide”, because I feel that a decision puts too much of the power in my hands. Yielding is about recognition of who should come first and honoring that. God, of course, should always come first.

Chambers writes of being born again, “The new birth gives a new power of vision whereby I begin to discern God’s rule. His rule was there all the time, but true to His nature: now that I have received His nature I can see His rule.” Things of God come into focus when you start to read His Holy Word, pray earnestly, worship Him, and boldly share the Good News of the Gospel. These all can result in a true and abiding relationship with Jesus after yielding to Him as your Lord and Savior. He is always there waiting for you.  

Chambers says the following that I found so simple and yet very powerful. “To be born again means that I see Jesus.” Amen and Amen!