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I. THE NATURE OF THIS REQUEST. "Heart" is another term for "soul," or the immortal part of man. The soul of man possesses certain powers or faculties, by which he is enabled to reason, judge, remember, choose, determine, and perform all the acts of rationality. To render the heart to God is —

1. To give the understanding to know and contemplate the Divine perfections. The understanding is the leading faculty in the human soul.

2. To offer Him the will. Every man possesses a self-determining power.

3. To surrender the affections to Him. This giving of the heart must be done, in an entire dependence on Divine aid; promptly, cheerfully, entirely, perpetually.

II. THE REASONS FOR COMPLYING WITH THE REQUEST.

1. Gratitude.

2. Fidelity. You have promised to do it, resolved to do it.

3. Justice. Every human being is emphatically the property of the Most High. God is the absolute, unalienable proprietor of all. In demanding your heart He asks for that to which He alone has right.

4. Safety. This depends on being in the holy keeping of God.

5. Self-interest. Here your duty and interest go hand in hand. Inferences:(1) That nothing will be acceptable with God where the heart is withheld.

(2) That God uses all conceivable methods to induce men to give Him their hearts.

(3) Everything in religion, on the part of man, must be voluntary.

(R. Treffry.)

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KJV: My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

WEB: My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways.