Speaking to the Heart by Francis M. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 6, 1915

Speaking to the Heart

By Francis M. Wilcox

WHEN God speaks, he speaks to the hearts of his children. He declares: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” This door is the door of the heart. Christ knocks for entrance by his Holy Spirit. The heart is opened by its possessor’s willingness to open the door. He places his will on the side of God, and then God is able to possess the heart and control the life.

Christ speaks from the heart to the heart. His great heart overflows in love for the impenitent, and yearns for his salvation. In this way only can the child of God do effectual service for his Master. He must speak from his heart to the heart of the one for whom he labors. Appeals may be scholarly and logical; they may reach the intellect and convince the judgment; they may win for themselves praise as masterly addresses or as literary productions; but unless they come from the heart, they will fail to reach the heart, and thus their power and force will be spent in vain.

We need to cherish higher conceptions of the exalted character of the work of God. We need in our ministry higher standards of educational attainment. We need to have ideals so high and exalted that we shall never be able to reach them. But let us remember, however important is this intellectual attainment and material preparation, that overtopping all this in importance is the need of the Spirit of God in the heart, the need of that connection with the Lord Jesus Christ that from our hearts we shall be able to speak to the hearts of the people. In this is the great power of the gospel ministry. F. M. W.