Cleansing the Heart by Angelia J. Edmunds

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 28, 1871

Cleansing the Heart.

By Angelia J. Edmunds

SET FORTH IN A FIGURE.

We will suppose that with the help of Jesus we have succeeded in clearing away the rubbish from the door of our hearts, so that the door can be thrown open. With our dim vision we can see the furniture within; but all is confusion; for there has been an occupant there averse to the pure and elevating principles of Heaven. We step in and try to arrange it; but oh! what a dark and gloomy place it is. We never can work with the furniture Satan uses. Everything goes wrong so long as we try to do so. We fall on our knees and plead before God for an understanding of his holy word that we may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. We pray that light may arise and shine upon us; for there is a great work for us to do, and we never can accomplish it while we grope our way in darkness. God answers our prayer. Light increases. We see the large things in the room, and commence arranging and making these right. We are blessed, and have the assurance that so far our ways are pleasing to God. The sun rises higher. We look about us, and what do we see now that we did not notice before? The floor of our dwelling is literally strewed with filth and dirt. If we had seen all this when we first commenced, we should probably have shrunk from the task in despair; but we know in our past experience, that when we asked for help, feeling our need, help was granted; therefore we will not turn back now. It is very evident to our minds, as the light shines more and more upon us, that there must be a thorough cleansing process gone through with. How necessary that we commence right! We cannot do all this work alone, and it must not be left half accomplished; for he whom we most desire to have dwell with us, is the one who cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. We remember reading that “the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin;” also in Mal. 3, “He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” This is the one we engage to help us. We ask him, and because of our importunity he turns us not away. Now we commence in good earnest. The work goes on. There is joy in our hearts. Surely, we are making progress. But stop, here is a heavy cross to be lifted before we can finish our cleansing. It seems so much like a mountain to us in our weakness, that for a little, we forget the help Jesus sends us. A still small voice whispers, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hope and courage spring up again. We wonder how we could ever forget that precious promise. We bow humbly, and ask to be forgiven our distrust. We ask that he will still aid us; and again with determination we faithfully labor on. With the help of the angel, the cross is lifted, the obstacle in the way of progress removed; but the experience has been a good lesson. Jesus suffered us to feel our weakness that we might more fully trust in him; for before us there is yet a more trying time. Rather than we should fail in this work of cleansing our hearts, Jesus will send not only one, but two mighty angels to help us; for he knows our weakness. He knows the power of the enemy with whom we have to contend.

The cleansing has been going on until we begin to feel a little better satisfied with our condition. But now it is midday. The bright rays of the sun penetrate every nook and corner, and we begin to see the dust, our little sins. Oh! how we mourn over these little sins, we have so many years been trying to purge from our hearts. But we still keep sweeping, brushing, and dusting; for do you not see that this is necessary? May the mid-day sun ever shine upon us. May we see everything that is impure in our hearts, and remove it. Then will the Holy Spirit dwell there. Then will Jesus come in and sup with us, and we with him.

While this cleansing process has been going on, there has been many a battle fought with the enemy; for he has tried to gain an entrance. Sometimes he transforms himself into an angel of light to deceive us; but thanks be to God; for he giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Now we know how essential it is to have his presence and help continually. We must not trust in our own strength one moment; for the occupant that was formerly dwelling in our hearts may again return; and if he finds us for a moment alone with our house swept and garnished, not gathering with Jesus, but trusting in our own armor, he will go and take to himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and will enter in and dwell in our hearts, and our last state will be worse than the first. Luke 11: 21–26.

Do you think that such a thorough house-cleaning could go on without our neighbors and friends knowing it? I think not. When they see the work going on in our hearts they will be anxious to see their own hearts right, if they are honest with themselves and their God. Our help has been so excellent, never failing us in time of need, and we so thankful to Him, ever speaking in his praise, that they will be led to apply to the same source for help.

To every one engaged in this great and good work I would say, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. 4:23. ANGELIA J. EDMUNDS. Johnstown, Mich.