April 04, 2005

The heart? by Octavius Winslow

There exists not upon earth a more vile and unlovely thing, in the self searching view of
the true believer, than his own heart. From every other human eye that bosom is deeply, impenetrably veiled. All that is within is known only to itself. What those chambers of abominations are, God will not permit another creature to know. Any yet, O wonder of grace! God, by His renewing Spirit, has made of that heart a beautiful, costly and precious censer, the cloud of whose incense ascends and fills all heaven with its fragrance!

With all its indwelling evil and self loathing, God sees its struggles, watches its conflict,
and marks its sincerity.

Not a feeling thrills it,
not an emotion agitates it,
not a sorrow shades it,
not a sin wounds it,
not a thought passes through it, of which He is not cognizant.

Believer, Jesus loves that heart of yours! He purchased it with His own heart's blood,
agonies, and tears; and He loves it! He inhabits it by His Spirit, and He loves it!

by Octavious Winslow