Song – Is Thy Heart Right With God?

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Song – Is Thy Heart Right With God?

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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Sacred Selections, #39

 

Tonight, being a 5th Sunday, we want to examine another song we sing from time to time.  Our song this evening, “Is Thy Heart Right With God?

This is an older song, composed by Elisha Albright Hoffman (1839-1929).   Hoffman was Congregationalist minister and a prolific songwriter and composer, credited with more than 2000 songs including, “I Must Tell Jesus”, “Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb”, and writing the words to songs like “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”, “To Christ be True” and “Glory to His Name”

This song is suitable for invitations probing the heart.  It is asking the question – is my heart what it ought to be?

The heart, as we have examined in times past, is not the blood pumping organ in our chest, even though it vitality is the premise of making the spiritual application.  The spiritual heart is that which makes us who we really are within.  Just as the physical heart is the core of our bodies, so the spiritual heart is the core of our souls. It is the seat of our knowledge of God.  It is seen in our minds, attitudes, emotions, intellect, will and personality.  It is what makes us who we are spiritually.

The Bible makes frequent reference to our hearts and is worthy of study.  Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”   Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.”  If your heart is not right, you are not ready to stand before God.  If your heart IS right, then you are ready. (cf. Matthew 15:8-9, Isaiah 29:13). This song is about examining our hearts to see if we are ready.

 

  1. 1 – Where are your affections?
    1. Have thine affections been nailed to the cross?
      1. The idea affections those things that are important to you. In the case of our spiritual, it would be our moral and spiritual interests.
      2. We know that as Christians, we are to surrender all to Jesus. He must be first in our lives – Matthew 10:37-38.
      3. Colossians 3:1-2 calls for us to set our minds on things above.
      4. Concerning the phrase in our song, think of Galatians 2:20. Galatians 5:24, And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
    2. Is thy heart right with God? The question asked some 12 times in this song (if we sing all the verses)
      1. Consider Acts 8:21, where Peter is interacting with Simon the sorcerer. He notes, “You heart is not right with God” and urges him to repent and pray.
      2. Matthew 22:37-39 – what is the greatest commandment? To love God with all your heart.
    3. Does thou count all things for Jesus but loss?
      1. Consider all that Paul gave up for us. Philippians 3:7-11.
      2. Luke 14:33, Jesus noted that He who does not forsake all that he has cannot be His disciple.
      3. As you think about this, consider all that Jesus gave up for us – Philippians 2:5-8
  2. 2 – Are you controlling yourself?
    1. Hast thou dominion o’er self and o’er sin?
      1. One of the fundamental qualities of a Christian is self-control and self-discipline. We find it in 2 Peter 1:5-7 as part of our development.  It is also a “fruit of the Spirit” – Galatians 5:22-23
      2. Romans 6:16-17 challenges us to present ourselves as slaves to God in obedience
      3. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 notes that we are even to bring out thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
      4. One of the qualities of the worldly is that they are “without self-control” (2 Timothy 3:3)
    2. Over all evil without and within?
      1. We need to always remember that we CAN overcome temptations. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – God will make the way of escape.
      2. 1 John 4:4 notes that He who is in you is greater than He who is in the world.
      3. Romans 12:21 calls for us to not be overcome with evil, but to overcome evil with good.
      4. When you commit sin, it is your CHOICE! The true Christian is one who does not go on sinning (continually).   1 John 3:4-9 reminds us that in Him we do NOT sin (not that it is impossible, but we know we cannot do so and be pleasing to Him).
  3. 3 – Have you been forgiven?
    1. Is there no more condemnation for sin?
      1. Understand, this is a true statement, even though it is subject to misinterpretation by those who advocate “once saved, always saved” (i.e., The impossibility of apostasy). We must understand clearly that scripture teaches we must remain faithful to the end (Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 10:38, etc.), but that does not change the fact that in Christ Jesus the condemnation of our sins can be removed.  Consider this in light of the theme of this song – a heart that is right.  This indicates your actions and attitude to ensure that you are right with Him.
      2. When we obey the gospel, our sins are washed away – Acts 22:16. Acts 2:38 they are remitted (removed, absolved
      3. Romans 8:1 notes, There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
      4. 2 Corinthians 5:17 notes that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  Old things have passed away.
        Ephesians 5:8, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
    2. Does Jesus rule in the temple within?
      1. The idea of a temple is a dwelling place for God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – our body is described as the temple of the Holy Spirit.
        Ephesians 3:17 speaks of Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith
      2. The idea of rule is that He has authority over us. John 14:23 says, Jesus answered and said to him, (Judas, not Iscariot – TT) “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
      3. Are we willing to submit to His will at all times?
  4. 4 – Is Jesus dwelling within you?
    1. Are all thy powers under Jesus’ control?
      1. Are you allowing Him to determine what you do and how you do it?
      2. Romans 8:7-10 contrasts the carnal mind and the mind governed by Christ and the Spirit. If Christ is in you, the body is dead but the spirit is life.
      3. Colossians 3:3 says, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
      4. Colossians 3:17 notes that all that we do must be done in His name.
    2. Does He each moment abide in thy soul?
      1. John 15:4-5 – Jesus described Himself as the True Vine and we are the branches. We must abide in Him always and bear fruit, or we will be cut off.
      2. Consider again John 14:23, He makes His home in us.
      3. And this is NOT an occasional activity, but He governs everything.   1 John 2:6, He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
        1 John 3:24, Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
  5. Chorus – Is your heart right with God?
    1. Is thy heart right with God? Again, this is the question and premise of this song. We need to be right with Him, not just superficially, but within also.
    2. Are you washed in “the crimson flood”? A reference to His blood. Revelation 1:5, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,  Hebrews 9:14 – how much more can the blood of Christ cleanse you.
      Revelation 7:14, describing the innumerable company of the saved, And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
      AND how are we washed in His blood?  Through baptism – Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4, etc.
    3. Are you cleansed and made holy? When we obey the gospel, our sins are removed. We are pure and sanctified.  We belong to Him (holy, set apart). 1 Peter 1:22 speaks of purifying our souls in obeying the truth…  Titus 2:14 speaks about how Jesus gave Himself to purify for Himself His own special people.
    4. Are you humble and lowly?
      1. In this entire process, we need to be humble and meek. We realize how we are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3) and in need of His grace, mercy and forgiveness.
      2. It is humility that soften our hearts to be receptive to the truth (cf. Matthew 13:23).
      3. 1 Peter 5:5-6 notes that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore we are to humble ourselves in His sight.
    5. Are you right in the sight of God? When we obey the gospel and faithfully serve Him, we will be right in His sight
  6. NOTE: There is also a fifth verse to this song. I will mention it here, but not address it other than to say it addresses our walking in the light and living in purity (cf. 1 John 1:7, Revelation 7:13-14)
    “Art thou now walking in heaven’s pure light? Is thy hear right with God?
    Is thy soul wearing the garment of white? Is thy heart right with God?”

And thus we can see another song that we sing from time to time.  It is a song of examination, and one in which are truly are teaching and admonishing one another (Colossians 3:16).  What about you?  Is your heart right with God?  Think about it!

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