The Believing Heart

As we come to the final day in this our Advent week, where we have been viewing some different hearts in the Advent Story, we close with the believing heart. Before introducing you to that heart, I want to draw your attention to some very familiar, but extremely relevant passages of Scripture. These all deal with the heart and belief. These are all quoted from the ESV.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10: 9. Is it not true therefore, that a believing heart, one who believes that God raised Jesus from the grave and confesses that Jesus is Lord, will know salvation?

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10: 10. It stands to reason then, if there is unbelief in the heart, there is no justification and in addition, no salvation.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life. Proverbs 4: 23. Springs of life only come from Jesus and through Jesus. Where there is no faith, there is no belief, indicating a heart that has not been careful in watching and waiting.

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. Proverbs 27: 19. This truth has been made abundantly clear, for we all know that when we look into water it reflects our faces. This is perfectly true of Simeon, who, like Anna, is not often viewed as a key figure in the Nativity Story.

It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen Jesus, the Lord’s Christ. Simeon believed this promise and lived his life waiting and expecting to see it happen. We are told that he was a righteous and devout man. It was precisely because Simeon lived his life in the light of this promise of God that he could be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

I don’t know about you, but this is such a marvellous revelation that is for all who will give their lives to Christ. I firmly believe that this is the reason for the Birth of Jesus, the Death of Jesus and the Resurrection of Jesus. When the angel visited Joseph in a dream, he was told to call the Baby, Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1: 21b. Is it not true that even in these words, live the revelation of hope in Jesus, for all sinners? Is it not also true that Jesus died on the cross for all sinners, so that none might be lost? Is it not true that God still calls and knocks and pleads so that none may die without Jesus? And is it not true that God uses people like you and me to tell others about His Son our Saviour, because in Him and Him alone, we are promised life before death?

Do you believe this revealed Word? It is at this time of Advent, when Jesus was taken into the temple for the first time that the Holy Spirit moved Simeon to go into the temple also. That was no coincidence, but the direct working of God to fulfil His Word to His servant. Advent still signifies the Coming. It is the coming at birth that we are looking at. It is the coming of God’s Incarnate Word to where you are today that will bring this promise to fruition. It is the Spirit of God who leads you to see Jesus, to hold His Living Word in your heart, so that believing, you will know the assurance of life before death. It is the sworn assurance that you will not die before seeing the forgiving face of Jesus.

Capture this most touching scene. Simeon is holding the fragile, eight day old baby in his arms. He is praising God, right there in the temple courts and saying: Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. Luke 2: 29 - 32.

When you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will have no qualms about waiting on His promises.