CHRIST IN THE HEART by Theodore Ledyard Cuyler

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 24, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 12.

CHRIST IN THE HEART.

By Theodore Ledyard Cuyler

It is a unique but glorious truth that the Lord Jesus Christ has a home in the hearts of his faithful people. No false religion hints at any such idea. A wonderful promise did our Master leave behind him that if we love him and keep his words, he will come and make his abode with us.

Now, this is either a literal fact, or it is mere pious poetry. Our Lord made a distinct and point-blank statement about his indwelling in certain hearts. Christ “dwells in our hearts through faith.” This word “dwell” must not be diluted into the metaphoric idea of a mere influence, such as John Wesley still exerts upon Methodism, or Mohammed upon the votaries of Islam. Jesus Christ veritably resides in your heart, my brother, if you are a true disciple, and that he will do so is the prayer you breathe every time you sing understandingly:—

“Not a brief glance I beg—a passing word, But as Thou dwell’st with thy disciples, Lord, Familiar, patient, condescending, free, Come, not to sojourn, but abide with me.”

How does Christ get admission into a heart? Paul answers the question—“through faith.” That is the aperture; and, however slightly the door may be opened, Christ can enter, even as an installment of rays from the noon-day sun enters through a hole in the window-shutter into an apartment. The Saviour will not enter our heart unless there first be a dissatisfaction with our evil condition, a sincere desire after him, and a yielding to his claims. These are essential to a practical faith. When we yield to Christ on a single point, when for his sake we refuse a single sin or attempt honestly a single duty, it is opening a crevice for him, or a setting of the door ajar. But we must not stop with that partial admission; we must swing wide our heart-door, and give Jesus an abundant admission; we must rise into a higher life, and begin to be “filled with all the fullness of God.” The first move toward a Christian life is the opening of the heart to the knocking Saviour; the degree of our holiness depends upon the degree “to which we give him welcome house-room.”

What will Christ bring with him? He brings a pardon for sin, in his loving hand, and the peace which belongs to a right relation with God. He brings purification; it is folly to waste a life-time in trying to cleanse our hearts, when nothing but his omnipotent grace can do it. He brings in heavenly light. He brings the power of a new affection, and a new inspiration. How warm the soul becomes when he enters it, bringing his own fire with him! What joy there is in his sweet society and fellowship! His presence gives us our only sure protection from assaulting temptations; the reason why so many church-members yield to outside temptations and collapse is that they are not re-enforced with the power of an indwelling Christ.

If Jesus actually lives with you, other people will be sure to discover the fact. Many absurd things have been written about “secret hopes,” etc.; but, my friend, if nobody suspects that you are a Christian, I do not believe that you are one. If there is any fire in a stove, a touch will show it. Here then is an infallible test. Do I feel and recognize that Christ is in my heart, controlling my conduct, quickening my conscience, and helping me every day to resist evil and do right? If no such internal evidence exists, then Christ has never been there, or has gone away. For the question whether the Master will always stay with us, depends largely upon ourselves. Self-will and pride may drive him out, for he promises to dwell only with them who are of an humble and contrite spirit. Neglect may provoke him to depart—and so may a persistent disobedience to his commandments. Free-agency does not cease after conversion; if Christ enters our hearts through faith, he must be kept there by faith. Oh, what wondrous condescension that the Lord of glory will consent to occupy such a hut as my poor heart; yet he is kindly saying to me: “Give me room in this thy heart, and I will give thee a place in my Heaven!”

A practical thought not to be lost sight of is that if Jesus dwell in our hearts we should be carrying him with us. “Let our light so shine before men” that they may recognize that Jesus is within you. Show your Christ-like kindnesses to people while they are living, and do not take it out in heaping flowers on their coffins. Carry Christ with you to your unconverted friends. If you win their respect for you and get a hold on them, you can talk to them about their souls; tell them what Christ has done for you, and, as it were, add your knock to his knock at their heart’s door. Reverently be it said, the Christ in you will appeal to them through you. Just here lies the only real power which any Christian has with the sinning and the suffering around him. As for such of my readers as have never had this glorious Son of God living in their hearts, it is because you do not want him there. He will be in the way of your favorite sins. Beware, my friend! Christ gives last knocks; and if you bolt him out of your heart, he will shut you out of his kingdom.—T. L. Cuyler, D. D.