ONE EFFECT OF A CHANGE OF HEART.
By W. N. Glenn
It is well understood by all who accept the Bible as the truth, that the beginning of a Christian life is a change of heart. The natural heart is "deceitful above all things;" "the carnal mind is enmity against God; it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Then, in order that the law of God may be written in the heart, according to the terms of the new covenant, it is necessary that there be a change. It is also understood that a man cannot change his heart, any more than a leopard can change his spots. That is a work that must be done by the Spirit of God. But many Christians entertain doubts as to whether that work has been done for them, and express their anxiety in the spirit of the old hymn:—
"'Tis a point I long to know,
Oft it causes anxious thought:
Do I love the Lord or no—
Am I his, or am I not?"
Inasmuch as the law is to be written on the heart, as stated above, the question might be settled by this test: Do I love the requirements of the law or not? If it is engraved on the heart, there will be an unmistakable love for its provisions, and corresponding desire to obey it. But we have in the Scriptures a striking example of the effect of "another heart," which may afford much light to doubtful souls. It is recorded in the ninth and tenth chapters of 1 Samuel that Saul, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, was sent by his father with one of the servants to hunt some lost asses. After searching without success until he feared his father would be more concerned for his safety than for the asses, he concluded to go to the house of the prophet Samuel and make inquiry. After being told that the asses had been found, Saul and his servant tarried all night. In the morning Samuel called them early, to send them on their way, and went with them some distance. "And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand thou still awhile, that I may show thee the word of God." Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and, pouring it upon Saul's head, anointed him king. Then he told him certain things that should happen on the way, and let him depart. "And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart." Now Saul, either on his way home or after he had reached home, met his uncle, who asked him where he had been; and Saul told him about being at the prophet's house. "And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you. And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not." This evidence of humility on the part of Saul is indeed remarkable, and could only have been the result of a change of heart. The natural heart would hardly have waited to be asked where he had been, or what the prophet said. The natural impulse would have been to rush home in almost breathless suspense and proclaim his promotion without ceremony. But the Spirit of God makes one small in his own eyes. Another instance also shows the almost unparalleled backwardness of Saul, although he was the finest-looking man in all Israel. Samuel called all the people together at Mizpeh to publicly install the king. He went through the formality of choosing a king, by first causing all the tribes to come near. Then the tribe of Benjamin was taken, and the record continues: "When Samuel had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken; and when they sought him, he could not be found. Therefore they inquired of the Lord further, if the man should yet come thither. And4the Lord answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff. And they ran and fetched him thence; and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward." 1 Sam. 10:21–23. How different his action from that of the natural man! How natural, on such an occasion, for Saul to be the most conspicuous person in all that company, which would have been very easy for one of his extraordinary personal appearance. And had he told his friends what Samuel had done and said to him at his previous meeting, how natural for all his kindred to be gathered around him, making all the display in their power, and to have given him so much attention that it would have been impossible for him to get out of sight if he had wanted to. But the man with "another heart" was careful to avoid all such display. Yet another circumstance: After all the services of this occasion were over, it is said that "Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men whose hearts God had touched. But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace." Now read the further history of Saul, after he had been permitted to defeat his enemies, and becoming flushed with success, pride and self-sufficiency entered his heart. In a backslidden state he could dare to disobey God, and even presume to assume the priest’s office and offer the sacrifice which Samuel had appointed to do himself. In such a condition of heart, he was very jealous of the honors which he deemed to be his due, and was ready to even put to death those to whom the people would render well-merited praise. Under such circumstances, woe to any man who would have said and done concerning him as the "children of Belial" did when he first became king, in the face of which he at that time merely "held his peace." It would seem that the case of Saul gives a good indication of the evidences of a new heart. Certainly one characteristic trait, that of meek humility, is made apparent; and that is a very essential one. The Saviour says, "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted," and, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." W. N. GLENN.