John Newton — a man who went from being a captain of slave ships to becoming a preacher of the “Amazing Grace” he came to know and of which he wrote the hymn — is noted as saying, “My grand point in preaching is to break the hard heart, and to heal the broken one.” Such is the power of the Word of God when it comes into contact with the receptive heart.
An older preacher with whom I had the privilege of working in my very early years of ministry advised, “Don’t aim so low as to step on toes. Aim for their hearts!” (Charles Andrews) To step on toes often merely offends or upsets. When it is the heart that is aimed for, though the truth may have its sting, that can move toward the heart healing and life redirection needed.
Writing to Christians at Rome, Paul stated. . .
“(16) Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? (17) But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, (18) and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:16-18 ESV)
Obedience from the heart. That is what had marked their response to the teaching of the Gospel. That is what moved them from slavery to sin to becoming slaves of righteousness. It is still how it works when the response to the Gospel is from the heart. May our heart remain open to the righteous guidance we need as we also speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and so draw from our heart to reach to the heart of others!
Have a great day AIMING FOR HEART-TO-HEART INTERACTION!
Carl
