======================================================================== A SOUND HEART by C.H. Spurgeon ======================================================================== Summary: A sound heart, characterized by love, feeling, and obedience to the truth, is essential for obedience to God's statutes and will keep us safe. Topics: "Christian Teaching", "Spiritual Growth" Scripture References: Matthew 28:20, Acts 4:18, Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:2, Hebrews 5:12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ John MacArthur emphasizes that teaching (didasko) involves passing on information systematically, focusing on the truth of God's Word. The essence of teaching is to influence understanding, stimulate obedience, and bring about transformation and Christ-likeness. Teaching is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, validated by Jesus being called Rabbi more than any other name. The goal of teaching is to shape the will of the learner, helping them know God and love and imitate Him. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Let my heart be sound in thy statues: that I be not ashamed. (Psalm 119:80) We may regard this inspired prayer as containing within itself the assurance that those who keep close to the Word of God shall never have cause to be ashamed of doing so. See, the prayer is for soundness of heart. A sound creed is good, a sound judgment concerning it is better, but a sound heart toward the truth is best of all. We must love the truth, feel the truth, and obey the truth, otherwise we are not truly sound in God's statutes. Are there many in these evil days who are sound? Oh, that the writer and the reader may be two of this sort! Many will be ashamed in the last great day, when all disputes will be decided. Then they will see the folly of their inventions and be filled with remorse because of their proud infidelity and willful defiance of the Lord; but he who believed what the Lord taught and did what the Lord commanded will stand forth justified in what he did. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun. Men much slandered and abused shall find their shame turned into glory in that day. Let us pray the prayer of our text, and we may be sure that its promise will be fulfilled to us. If the Lord makes us sound, He will keep us safe. ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ch-spurgeon/a-sound-heart/ ========================================================================