p. 195 | THE HEART'S DOOR by Krummacher

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 6, 1860

THE HEART'S DOOR.

By Krummacher

The heart is by nature a closed chamber. We may stand by its windows and look in, but its secrets we cannot explore. Nowhere are we greater strangers than here. We may consider ourselves but at home in it, but after all it baffles our inquiries, and treats us as sojourners. We may have our own theories about it—we may compliment ourselves about its excellence—but these theories are all shadows. Unless God is pleased to wake us to the truth, we live and die deceiving and deceived. But let him touch our eyes and then the shadows fall. Door after door is opened; vault after vault uncovered. The bolts of prejudice, of selfishness, of avarice are loosened. Sometimes this is done softly and gradually. Not with a crash, but quietly are the portals unclosed. But gradual as may be the discovery, it is enough to cover us with shame. Foul broods of lust are disclosed. Sinful and passionate impulses are brought to light. What we once looked upon as a garden of beauty, now appears a desert, void and polluted. Instead of a sanctuary, we find but a den of thieves. Not love, but hatred toward God; not mercy, but jealousy toward our fellow men; not generosity, but sordid selfishness. Nothing we find that could please God; nothing that does not deserve his eternal reprobation.

Yet this insight into our heart's real condition is one which we would often fain regret. The dream of self-love is far sweeter than is this bitter and humiliating truth. But that dream is the charm by which Satan drags us to ruin; this truth is the leading-string by which the hand of grace draws us to life. For this purpose the Holy Ghost keeps guard at the door of the heart. He opens an entrance to many truths, invitations and holy warnings, which heretofore had rebounded from the closed and barred gate. Now the thunder-word eternity receives free entrance. Now, also, are heard the trumpet-calls to judgment, and the cry, "Arise, thou that sleepest." Voices enter that so-long benighted chamber, calling upon the soul to haste for life's sake, and to take the narrow way. Formerly these same voices struck the outside of the heart's door, but entered not therein. Now the spirit has opened the heart, and the call resounds and echoes through all its walls.

Sinner! if you hear these voices, be sure that the Spirit is opening that long closed door of your heart! It is in your power to exclude the heavenly visitor, but if you shut on him the gate of your heart now, remember that he will shut on you the gate of heaven hereafter.—Krummacher.