heart transplant

A young relative of a friend just received a new set of lungs, via transplant, a few days ago.  This young woman was failing and would probably not have survived very long without the wonderful gift of new lungs.  The donor was a child who, most likely, was the victim of an automobile accident over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Tragedy was transformed to triumph through a transplant.  The result is a fresh start, a new beginning.  The young lady who received the lungs was just married over the past year and now can look forward to a continuation of her life with her husband and other family and friends.  Heart transplants are relatively common, as well, these days.  Each year about 2,000 Americans receive new hearts by transplant.  The analogy is clear with our salvation.  In a sense we all are dying of terminal sin disease.  The arteries of our spiritual life are clogged with our innate tendency to stray.  Our spiritual breathing is labored and the smallest life challenge can leave us breathless, often feeling like there is nowhere to turn.  Fortunately each of us is not only a prime candidate for a new heart but there is one available for us all.  When we invite the Lord Jesus into our lives we receive His heart.  Our arteries are cleansed and His precious blood flows through our lives.  No wonder we are considered "new creatures" when we receive this transplant.  Unfortunately many people have "immune" systems that reject Jesus before giving Him a chance to enter.  If it weren't for the preparation and guidance of the Holy Spirit, I think we'd all reject Jesus' entrance.

 

Matthew 13:15 "For this people's heart has become calloused;
      they hardly hear with their ears,
      and they have closed their eyes.
   Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
      hear with their ears,
      understand with their hearts
   and turn, and I would heal them."

 

Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

 

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

 

blessings,

Rob Smith