by Mitchell Skelton

Yesterday a member of our congregation underwent open-heart surgery. Open-heart surgery is a very delicate procedure. While this Christian lady is still in very serious condition, many people have the surgery today and in many cases, it has almost become routine. No matter the habitual nature of this type of surgery, you still want the most accomplished surgeons, the most up-to-date equipment, and the very best of care. Open-heart surgery is a step of faith and hope. Hope because you know you have heart problems that can be corrected and faith because you place yourself entirely under the care of another.

In the book of Acts, we find the first "open-heart" surgery recorded in the New Testament. "On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home" (Acts 16:13-15a NIV). Of course, the physical heart and the heart that Lydia had opened are entirely different. Paul preached the word to Lydia, the Lord opened her heart, and she responded.

The Power of the Word of God

Paul would be the first to reject any claim that it was by his power of persuasion that Lydia became a Christian. Moreover, he would be the first to assert that it was the power of the Gospel. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor. 1:17). The power to save is in the word of God acting upon the heart of man. The heart of man longs to be filled. People spend countless hours and dollars in search of the true meaning of life only to come away empty. Make no mistake about it; man's heart will be filled. The only question is who will be the one to fill it? Will it be Christ or Satan? Satan can fill a person's heart, as in the case of Ananias (Acts 5:3). However, Christ can and wants to dwell in man's heart. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (Eph. 3:16,17a NIV).

The spiritual heart is like the physical heart in that it can become sick. Our spiritual heart can be stubborn. "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed" (Rom. 2:5). It can be hardened. "They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts" (Eph. 4:18). While our hearts can reject God, they also can be cut. "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37 NIV).

Open Heart Surgery - God's Way

Lydia heeded the gospel message, and God opened her heart. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). The psalmist, David, realized that only God was able to cure his heart disease when he proclaimed, "Create in me a pure heart O, God" (Psalm 51:10 NIV).

The word of God is powerful, both convicting man of sin and leading us to salvation. However, it is still our choice whether or not to believe the gospel. God never forces anyone to obey Him. Lydia believed the good news about Jesus and was baptized (Acts 16:15).

Just as the physical heart can become diseased, so too, the spiritual heart can be sick. Physical open-heart surgery requires hope and faith. Spiritual open-heart surgery also requires hope and faith, hope that your problems can be corrected and faith in the one who can heal you, Jesus Christ the Great Physician.

Do not harden your hearts and reject the Lord. Hear the word, and let it have a good effect in your heart. Be captivated by it and respond to it.