The Heart of the Matter
Yesterday we looked at the evil on display in the world around us. But the Bible presses us to look even closer: the greatest problem isn’t just out there—it’s in here.
Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” And Jesus taught, “From within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts… All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:21, 23).
This is why we all need Jesus. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23–24). The gospel meets us here: guilty but forgiven, broken but made new, needy but welcomed by Christ.
And here’s the fruit of that new life: once we have received mercy, we turn around and extend it. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), and even more, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27).
That means learning to love, listen, and engage even with those who disagree with us. We don’t want to talk past people; we want to talk to people. We don’t take our cues from culture—one side or the other—but from God, whose Word is clear and whose Son has shown us the way.
Please don’t let yourself get shoved into the world’s camps of “us against them.” Don’t see those who disagree with you as the bad guys, or worse, as enemies to be defeated or destroyed. Every person you meet is made in the image of God. The real difference is this: some have already found forgiveness in Christ, and some have not—at least, not yet. That’s why we speak with hope, serve with compassion, and love even those who don’t love us back.
Worldviews and ideas always have consequences. If we embrace Christianity, we must embrace its whole way of thinking. And that way of thinking leads directly to a way of living—loving God, loving our neighbor, and doing good even to those who harm us.
So don’t wait. The Bible says, “Now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Come to Christ today—be forgiven, be made new, and learn to walk in His way.
For this is our calling: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
The culture wars rage all around us. But the church is meant to be a place of peace and comfort—a refuge from the storms of life, where sinners find grace, believers grow in love, and Christ is kept at the center. Come join us!
Two Next Steps
- Pick up a Bible. Read Mark 7, Luke 6, and Romans 12. See how Christ reshapes both our hearts and our actions.
- Give church a chance. Christianity is more than a private belief—it is a whole way of life. The church is where that life takes root and grows.
And if you are nearby, we would love for you to reach out to us at Central Presbyterian Church in Irvine. Give us a call, or drop us a note on our website—we would love to talk with you.
