Topical Bible: Character of the Renewed Heart: Upright

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The concept of an upright heart is deeply rooted in biblical theology, reflecting a transformation that aligns one's inner being with the righteousness and holiness of God. This transformation is a hallmark of the renewed heart, a central theme in the Christian doctrine of sanctification.

Biblical Foundation

The term "upright" in the biblical context often refers to moral integrity, honesty, and adherence to God's commandments. The Hebrew word "yashar" and the Greek word "euthys" are frequently translated as "upright" in the Scriptures, conveying the idea of straightness or correctness in one's conduct and heart.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, the upright heart is exemplified by figures such as Noah, Job, and David. Noah is described as "a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries" (Genesis 6:9), indicating his uprightness in a corrupt generation. Job is similarly noted for his integrity: "There is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil" (Job 1:8).

The Psalms frequently highlight the blessings and favor bestowed upon the upright. Psalm 11:7 states, "For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face." This verse underscores the intimate relationship between God and those who walk uprightly, promising divine presence and favor.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the call to uprightness is intensified through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The Sermon on the Mount sets a high standard for moral and spiritual integrity, urging believers to be "perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). This perfection is not merely external but stems from a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently exhorts believers to live upright lives as evidence of their renewed hearts. In Titus 2:11-12 , he writes, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age." Here, uprightness is presented as a natural outflow of God's grace and salvation.

Characteristics of an Upright Heart

1. Integrity and Honesty: An upright heart is characterized by truthfulness and transparency. Proverbs 11:3 states, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them." Integrity serves as a guiding principle for those with renewed hearts.

2. Righteousness and Justice: The upright heart seeks to reflect God's righteousness and justice in all dealings. Psalm 37:30 declares, "The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice."

3. Fear of the Lord: Reverence for God is a defining trait of the upright heart. Proverbs 14:2 notes, "He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the devious in his ways despises Him."

4. Love and Compassion: An upright heart is marked by love for God and others. This love is not merely emotional but is demonstrated through acts of kindness and compassion, as seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The transformation to an upright heart is not achieved through human effort alone but is the work of the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel 36:26-27 promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances." This divine intervention enables believers to live uprightly, reflecting God's character in their lives.

Conclusion

The character of the renewed heart, marked by uprightness, is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace. It is a life that seeks to honor God through integrity, righteousness, and love, empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in His ways.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 97:11
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 125:4
Do good, O LORD, to those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Difference Between the Upright in Heart and the Clean in Heart ...
... to be severally bestowed on each separate character, where it ... course he departs from
it, and is renewed day by ... works of mercy, and "cleanse his heart from all ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/36 the difference between the.htm

The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death.
... All the saints are born of God"they are renewed after the ... Such is the character given
of him of old, who "was perfect in ... His heart is right"his eye single. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxv the good man.htm

Christian Sympathy
... is that he was "a perfect and an upright man, one ... sympathy should ever be of the
widest character, because he ... into the crystal pool of a renewed heart it stirs ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

The Great Assize
... He will be fair and upright throughout ... ye are no better than other men in your character,
and ye ... took their good works as evidence of a renewed heart, and then ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the great assize.htm

The Tears of the Penitent.
... unity of his evil, he has seen its inmost character, he has ... tracing rises ere its
close to a vow of renewed praise. ... and gladly shout, all ye upright in heart!". ...
/.../maclaren/the life of david/xiii the tears of the penitent.htm

Advent Lessons
... says the world, if you wish your own character to improve ... and no farther, as each
human being is renewed and comes ... He Himself has put them into my heart not to ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon v advent lessons.htm

The Agreement of Salvation by Grace with Walking in Good Works
... How can I tell him the cruel dogma of "modern thought" that his own personal character
is everything? ... You need to be renewed in heart by the Holy Spirit ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the agreement of salvation by.htm

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... of the whole man;"in one word, the heart in being brought under gracious influence
is renewed, and thus is made to possess the character of a new ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

The World Turned Upside Down
... there is no one who can find any fault with his character. ... "A heart resigned, submissive ...
in substance to my test: except ye be thoroughly renewed, turned upside ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the world turned upside down.htm

On Patience
... at least, they are in part, in their general character) with whom ... from all sin, and
fill up all your heart with love ... body of sin; and ye shall be renewed in the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 83 on patience.htm