#HeartSurgery

First, came the dress. Was it white and gold or was it black and blue?! Then came the audio recording. Was it Laurel or was it Yanny?! 😂

Just in case you’ve forgot, or else have been living in a cave the past few years, the “dress” was a viral internet phenomenon in 2015, and the “audio recording,” which was just as popular, if not more, was in 2018. Both were quite the internet buzz and I found them both fascinating and fun. I saw white and gold, and I heard Laurel! What about you?!

I wondered….

How can two people look at the same photo and both see something different? 🤔

And….

How can two people hear the same audio recording and hear something different? 🤔

Apparently, there were scientific explanations for both phenomenons, and I did read about them, but they didn’t really thwart my fascination. 😂

On a more serious note, I believe there’s a similar phenomenon that relates to our ears. 👂🏻

How can two people hear the same gospel message but only one actually listens and receives the message?

Yet they did not listen or incline their ears, but stiffened their necks in order not to listen or take correction. Jeremiah 17:23

Likewise, there’s a similar phenomenon that relates to our eyes. 👁

How can two people look to Jesus and The Good News but only one sees and receives Him as Savior?

The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

And the problem is not just confined to our ears and eyes, but more so and more importantly, the Bible tells us that problem lies within our hearts.

The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9

For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.”’ Acts 28:27

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. John 3:19-20

Basically, the root of our heart problem is sin….

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

And…

The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23

But God made a way….

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

So how do we get this new heart?

Just like a heart patient who’s in need of heart surgery. Not someone who just needs some medication, but someone whose in desperate need of heart surgery in order to live.

Spiritual heart surgery…..

By turning away from sin, and turning toward Christ, in repentance and faith.

By faith believing He is God’s only Son, who died a sacrificial death on the cross, taking the punishment that we deserve.

By faith believing Christ died and rose again three days later, according to the scriptures.

Trusting in Christ alone.

Knowing that….

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” John 6:44

Hearing with our ears ….

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

Seeing with our eyes….

To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Acts 23:18

And with a new and grateful heart….

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 118:1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

If you’re in need of heart surgery, don’t wait, book your appointment today with the Great Physician. Tomorrow may be too late.

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Matthew 9:12