1 the heart of man "blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see god." (matt. 5:8)

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The Heart of ManThe Heart of Man

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matt. 5:8)see God." (Matt. 5:8)

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Because of this statement of Jesus, Christian Because of this statement of Jesus, Christian discipleship is often called "the religion of the discipleship is often called "the religion of the pure in heart."pure in heart."

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But what is the heart that must be pure and But what is the heart that must be pure and how does one experience a change of heart? how does one experience a change of heart?

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What does the Bible teach?What does the Bible teach?

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Intellectual Intellectual NatureNature

Emotional Emotional NatureNature

Ethical Ethical NatureNature

Volitional Volitional NatureNature


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How God ChangesHow God ChangesThe Heart of ManThe Heart of Man

IntellectuallyIntellectually

EmotionallyEmotionally

VolitionallyVolitionally

EthicallyEthically

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Contrary to the false doctrine of Calvinism, Contrary to the false doctrine of Calvinism, God does not change the heart by operating God does not change the heart by operating on it directly.on it directly.


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To operate directly is to operate without To operate directly is to operate without "means," or "instrumentation," such as a "means," or "instrumentation," such as a surgeon operating without instruments.surgeon operating without instruments.


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Through what "means," or "instrumentation," Through what "means," or "instrumentation," does God operate on and change the heart?does God operate on and change the heart?


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God operates on and changes the heart God operates on and changes the heart through the "means," or "instrumentation," of through the "means," or "instrumentation," of His word.His word.


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God operates on and changes the heart, in its God operates on and changes the heart, in its intellectual capacity, by means of information.intellectual capacity, by means of information.

How God ChangesHow God ChangesThe Heart IntellectuallyThe Heart Intellectually

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The heart is a "seedbed" in which the word of The heart is a "seedbed" in which the word of God must be planted.God must be planted.


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"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it." (Luke 8:5)devoured it." (Luke 8:5)


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"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." (Luke 8:11-12)should believe and be saved." (Luke 8:11-12)


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The word of God must be understood in order The word of God must be understood in order for the heart to be changed for the better, for the heart to be changed for the better, intellectually.intellectually.


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Then He spoke many things to them in Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them." (Matt. 13:3-4)devoured them." (Matt. 13:3-4)


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"When anyone hears the word of the "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside." (Matt. 13:3-received seed by the wayside." (Matt. 13:3-4,19)4,19)


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Every other change also involves the intellect.Every other change also involves the intellect.


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God operates on and changes the heart, in its God operates on and changes the heart, in its emotional capacity, by means of specific emotional capacity, by means of specific information concerning His love for mankind.information concerning His love for mankind.

How God ChangesHow God ChangesThe Heart EmotionallyThe Heart Emotionally

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God manifested His love for us by sending His God manifested His love for us by sending His Son to the cross.Son to the cross.


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"For God so loved the world that He gave His "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)life." (John 3:16)


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Jesus demonstrated love by sacrificing His Jesus demonstrated love by sacrificing His own life for us.own life for us.


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"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)


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By this we know love, because He laid down By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16)our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16)


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Our love for God is in response to His love.Our love for God is in response to His love.


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We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)4:19)


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God operates on and changes the heart, in its God operates on and changes the heart, in its ethical capacity, by means of information ethical capacity, by means of information concerning His authority.concerning His authority.

How God ChangesHow God ChangesThe Heart EthicallyThe Heart Ethically

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Paul's conscience had been clear, even while Paul's conscience had been clear, even while he was persecuting Christians. he was persecuting Christians.


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Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." (Acts conscience before God until this day." (Acts 23:1)23:1)


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"This being so, I myself always strive to have a "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and conscience without offense toward God and men." (Acts 24:16)men." (Acts 24:16)


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Paul’s heart had not made proper ethical Paul’s heart had not made proper ethical judgments because it had not been properly judgments because it had not been properly educated. educated.


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"Indeed, I myself thought I "Indeed, I myself thought I mustmust do many do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth." (Acts 26:9)Nazareth." (Acts 26:9)


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But when he saw Jesus on the road to But when he saw Jesus on the road to Damascus, he realized that he did not have the Damascus, he realized that he did not have the authority of God to persecute Christians for authority of God to persecute Christians for worshiping Jesus as God. worshiping Jesus as God.


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So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." will be told what you must do."


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And the menAnd the men who journeyed with him stood who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. Damascus.


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And heAnd he was three days without sight, and was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:3-9)neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:3-9)


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On Pentecost, Peter changed the hearts of the On Pentecost, Peter changed the hearts of the people, ethically, by showing that Jesus had the people, ethically, by showing that Jesus had the authority of God for the things He did and that authority of God for the things He did and that they did not have the authority of God to put they did not have the authority of God to put Him to death. Him to death.


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"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know--also know--


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"Him, being delivered by the determined "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;" (Acts 2:22-23)to death;" (Acts 2:22-23)


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"Therefore let all the house of Israel know "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." you crucified, both Lord and Christ."


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Now when they heard this, they were cut to the Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37-38)do?" (Acts 2:37-38)


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"A man convinced against his will"A man convinced against his will

Is of the same opinion, still."Is of the same opinion, still."

How God ChangesHow God ChangesThe Heart VolitionallyThe Heart Volitionally

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God operates on and changes the heart, in its God operates on and changes the heart, in its volitional capacity, by means of specific volitional capacity, by means of specific information concerning His goodness and information concerning His goodness and severity.severity.


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God’s goodness—and promise of further God’s goodness—and promise of further goodness—is to motivate us to repentance.goodness—is to motivate us to repentance.


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Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.judge practice the same things.


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But we know that the judgment of God is But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? judgment of God?


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Or do youOr do you despise the riches of His goodness, despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (Rom. 2:1-4)(Rom. 2:1-4)


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God’s severity—and promise of further severity—God’s severity—and promise of further severity—is for the same purpose.is for the same purpose.


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You will say then, "Branches were broken off You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." Well said. Because that I might be grafted in." Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.


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For ifFor if God did not spare the natural branches, He God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity;severity; but toward you, goodness, if you but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. (Rom. 11:19-22)be cut off. (Rom. 11:19-22)


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The hearts of those to whom Peter preached on The hearts of those to whom Peter preached on Pentecost were changed, volitionally, Pentecost were changed, volitionally, afterafter Peter Peter promised them the remission of sins.promised them the remission of sins.


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Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall. Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall. receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)


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The heart continues to change throughout life, The heart continues to change throughout life, whether for the better or for the worse.whether for the better or for the worse.


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Do you need to make your heart right with God?Do you need to make your heart right with God?


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When the alien sinner has completely obeyed When the alien sinner has completely obeyed the conditions of salvation, he is "born again" the conditions of salvation, he is "born again" and is granted citizenship in the kingdom of God.and is granted citizenship in the kingdom of God.


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Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)


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He has delivered us from the power of darkness He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 3:13-14)His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 3:13-14)


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The heart of the faithful kingdom citizen The heart of the faithful kingdom citizen continues to change for the better.continues to change for the better.


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Not that I have already attained, or am already Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.me.


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Brethren, I do not count myself to have Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,forward to those things which are ahead,


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I press toward the goal for the prize of the I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:12-14)upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:12-14)


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His heart continues to change for the better, in His heart continues to change for the better, in its intellectual capacity, as he continues to learn its intellectual capacity, as he continues to learn more and more of God’s word.more and more of God’s word.


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His heart continues to change for the better, in His heart continues to change for the better, in its emotional capacity, as he grows in his love for its emotional capacity, as he grows in his love for God and others.God and others.


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His heart continues to change for the better, in His heart continues to change for the better, in its ethical capacity, as he continues to heed the its ethical capacity, as he continues to heed the voice of his conscience.voice of his conscience.


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His heart continues to change for the better, in His heart continues to change for the better, in its volitional capacity, as he continues to bring its volitional capacity, as he continues to bring his life into greater harmony with the will of God.his life into greater harmony with the will of God.


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Has your heart been sufficiently changed so that Has your heart been sufficiently changed so that you have been born again and translated into you have been born again and translated into the kingdom of God, the church? the kingdom of God, the church?


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Has it continued to change for the better since Has it continued to change for the better since that time? that time?

How God ChangesThe Heart of Man

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Have you continued to grow in knowledge of the Have you continued to grow in knowledge of the word of God and in love for the word of God? word of God and in love for the word of God?


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Are you making better ethical judgments and Are you making better ethical judgments and decisions? decisions?


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Are your actions now in greater harmony with Are your actions now in greater harmony with the will of God than they have been in the past?the will of God than they have been in the past?


1 the heart of man "blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see god." (matt. 5:8)

Documents

heart of man

change of heart

word of god

pauls heart

authority of god

greater love

ethical capacity

statement of jesus