Topical Bible: The Heart: Faith, the Means of Purifying

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In biblical theology, the heart is often seen as the center of human emotion, will, and intellect. It is the seat of moral and spiritual life, reflecting the true nature of a person. The heart's condition is of paramount importance in Scripture, as it determines one's relationship with God and others. Faith, as a means of purifying the heart, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the transformative power of belief and trust in God.

Biblical Understanding of the Heart

The heart is frequently mentioned in the Bible as the core of a person's being. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse underscores the heart's role as the source of life and moral conduct. The heart is not merely an organ but a metaphor for the inner self, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and decisions.

The Heart's Need for Purification

Scripture acknowledges the inherent impurity of the human heart. Jeremiah 17:9 declares, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse highlights the natural inclination of the heart towards sin and deceit. The need for purification is evident, as an impure heart cannot stand in the presence of a holy God.

Faith as the Means of Purification

Faith is presented in the Bible as the primary means by which the heart is purified. Acts 15:9 states, "He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith." This passage refers to the early church's understanding that both Jews and Gentiles are purified through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to the law.

Faith involves trusting in God's promises and accepting His grace. Hebrews 11:6 asserts, "And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep-seated trust that leads to a transformed heart and life.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the purification of the heart through faith. Romans 5:5 explains, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." The Spirit works within believers to cleanse and renew their hearts, enabling them to live in accordance with God's will.

The Evidence of a Purified Heart

A purified heart is evidenced by a life that reflects the character of Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are the natural outflow of a heart purified by faith and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

The Call to Continual Purification

Believers are called to continually seek the purification of their hearts. James 4:8 exhorts, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." This call to action emphasizes the ongoing nature of heart purification, requiring believers to remain vigilant and dependent on God's grace.

In summary, the heart is central to one's spiritual life, and faith is the means by which it is purified. Through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, believers experience a transformation that aligns their hearts with God's purposes, enabling them to live lives that honor Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 15:9
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Faith Has the Effect of Purifying the Heart?
... the rational creature is purified by means of a ... first beginning of this movement
is faith: since "he ... Hence the first beginning of the heart's purifying is faith ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether faith has the effect.htm

Like Precious Faith
... Consider the worth of faith as a means of purifying ... of God as having 'purified their
hearts by faith.' And here ... which, by the act of trust, comes into my heart. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/like precious faith.htm

Purifying the Soul
... by 'in,' 'through,' 'unto.' They give the means, the Bestower ... so because, in that
moment of initial faith, there enters into the heart the communicated ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/purifying the soul.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. Chap. v. 3 and 8, "Blessed are ...
... would not care for, and diligently seek the means of purifying ... purifying their hearts
by faith." [1909] The faith of God then purifies the heart, the pure ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon iii on the words.htm

Faith
... The means of having Christ to be our propitiation is, Faith in his blood ... Purifying
their hearts by faith.' Acts 15:9. Faith makes the heart a temple with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 1 faith.htm

"Now the End of the Commandment is Charity Out of a Pure Heart ...
... suffers no prejudice by this means, but rather ... Fourthly, Faith purging the conscience,
purifies the heart. Fifthly, Faith purifying the heart, works by love. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xi now the end.htm

Sanctified by Faith
... kept free from sin, by no means affects this ... Pentecost, speaks of this law of faith,
which effected ... this glorious grace, the experience of heart purity, "and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter vi sanctified by faith.htm

The Law Established through Faith
... is the most direct and effectual means of promoting ... by love, to the purifying of
the heart, the cleansing ... Everyone that hath this faith in himself, "purifieth ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 36 the law established.htm

The Indwelling Christ
... You bring Christ into your heart by faith, without any ... you keep Him there by a faith
which produces ... to ask the question here whether 'love' means Christ's love ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the indwelling christ.htm

The Purifying Influence of Hope
... stands true; it is 'the pure in heart that shall ... by cleansing your hands and your
hearts, through faith in the ... Hope is by no means an active faculty generally. ...
/.../the purifying influence of hope.htm