My 2 hearts
by
Pastor David of 2hearts
http://2hearts.org.uk
I was born with a good heart I am thankful that God granted me a good heart. It showed no signs of disease for well over 50 years and has pumped my blood more than 2 billion times. As Psalm 139 says "I am wonderfully made". I am not a chance happening but an individual created by God.
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I was born with a bad heart. The Bible uses the word "heart" to describe the real "me". That heart is bad. I was born that way; I inherited a corrupt nature and sinful character. I am like all Adam's descendants. "in this way death came to all men, because all sinned." (Romans 5:12) However perfect I looked when my parents first saw me, God says that I was born with a sinful heart.
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My heart remained healthy I grew up with a reasonably healthy lifestyle, fit and active, doing all the things boy do. I am grateful to have been spared the illnesses, diseases, treatments and surgeries that have made life so hard for a great many of my friends.
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My heart was getting worse and worse. I grew up
in an environment where I was protected for much of the evil in the world
but yet my heart was disobeying and rebelling. I was taught God's Word
and learned many passages by heart but I refused to face the facts of
my sin and its consequences. |
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I gave little thought to my heart I thought I had nothing to worry about. Some in my family had died due to heart illness but I had no symptoms and no concerns. I tried to live a healthy lifestyle and avoided indulging in anything that could adversely affect my health. My heart kept beating faithfully and unseen. |
I was sure that my heart was basically good. I could see sinfulness in others but had not realised to what extent sin had invaded every part of me. My personality, mind, will, affections and conscience were all corrupted. "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure." (Jeremiah 17:9) I thought things like murder, adultery and robbery were sins, but the Bible makes it clear that we have no right to think of sin in this way. Sin is anything that fails to meet God's perfect standards. Anything I say, think or do that is less than perfect is sin. |
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I learned that I needed another heart ! I thought I had only a minor complaint but a visit to my Doctor brought devastating news. My heart had failed and I was eventually to learn that I needed a heart transplant. |
I learned that I needed a new heart ! No amount of endeavour on my part was ever going to make things right between me and God. I could never improve my heart, however sincere I was. But I heard what God said " And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart." Ezekiel 36:26
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I can only live if someone dies To live, I must receive a donated heart from someone who is alive today. Only by the gracious gift of a donor and a donor's family can my life change. That is an extremely emotional thought for me. I wish there was some way around it but death comes to us all and if the situation was different I would gladly donate any organ to help another person live. |
Someone has died in my place God is holy and perfect and cannot overlook sin. I was under the wrath of God for my sin. I could not escape the judgement. But God, in grace, provided salvation. He poured out His wrath on His perfect Son who died in my place. Christ suffered for my sin that He might save me. |
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I am waiting for a new heart One of life's greatest gifts is an organ donation. None of us can ever find adequate words to express our thanks to the families who give us what is often called "the gift of life". In their deepest distress, they have thought of us.
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I've been given a new heart Because
God is absolutely satisfied with what Jesus Christ accomplished for me
on the cross, I have a new heart. One day He brought me in repentance
and faith to the Saviour. I acknowledged my great sinfulness; I was so
unworthy of receiving mercy but in simple faith I took Jesus Christ as
my Saviour and Lord. I knew that I had been given a new heart.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no-one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9. |
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A new heart may prolong my life Medical expertise means that life expectancy is growing for those with a transplanted organ. I know that I cannot avoid death but perhaps my health will improve and I will have some more active years.
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My new heart guarantees me eternal life. No
surgeon can give guarantees. But the one who raised Christ from the
dead gives new life to all who believe in Him. And though the body will
die one day, those who live in Him now, live forever with Him.
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The future is uncertain I do not know what the future will bring for my heart. Medication has had an unexpected impact and has made life bearable. This means I can wait a bit longer for my transplant or for whatever God has planned for me. |
The future is assured "My
flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my
portion for ever." |
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A
question for you. "How is your heart?" If I can
help, please get in touch. |
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The testimony of Pastor David of 2hearts http://2hearts.org.uk
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