Proverbs 4:23. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Yesterday we said that for you to guard your heart your heart needs a new reality and a new vision. We focused on the first part of this- a new reality. Today we will focus on a new vision.
Every Christian has a new heart. Every Christian has a new reality. The Father has provided for and the Spirit has implemented this new reality which is the life of Christ (the heart of Christ) in you. So what else does the Christian need in order to guard their heart? They need to capture of vision of this new reality. They need to let this new reality capture their imagination, re-write their story, and become their new narrative for life.
A Vision of the Future.
Christians need an eschatological vision. They need to see and live from their future hope. They need to fix their eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter (future) of our faith. Our ultimate goal in life is to see Jesus and be perfected by him. And further to present every man as mature in Christ (Col. 1:28).
We fail to guard the heart when we see only this present life and fail to live within a future vision. For example, why do you worry? Why do you get angry? Why do you lust? Is it not because in those moments we have lost sight of a future vision for what we will be one day and the glory that awaits us in Christ’s presence? We seek temporary satisfaction from worrying, blowing up, or self pleasure rather than seeking true satisfaction in the hope of our inheritance.
A Vision of the Present.
Christians also need a vision of our present reality. Not only do we have a new reality, we must let this truth capture our hearts. Who am I? What am I? What are the practical daily implications for this life?
Our life is not just our future life in heaven. The new creation is now (2 Cor. 5:17)! We are already living as the future us. We are already glorified and seated at Christ’s right hand (Eph. 2:6). We can right now be image bearers because The Image of God- Christ Jesus- indwells my heart.
A Vision for Christ Likeness.
We guard our hearts because we have a vision for Christ likeness. Being like him is and must be my new heart’s desire. Not only is it a reality that I am being transformed into Christ, this is also the new narrative of my life, the imaginary, the new vision.
As the church we need to help each other to guard our hearts through sacrificial loving community. Personal fulfillment comes through self- sacrifice and through unconditional love and grace. It is in community and in godly relationships that spiritual formation occurs and Christ likeness is developed. Being more and more like Jesus in his death and resurrection should be the vision that captures my heart’s desire.
Ok so here’s the bottom line. What does all of this mean?
It means that we have to do more than just teach facts and bible knowledge to each other. We have to do more than just train the brain. We have to capture hearts: the hearts of our children, our youth, our millennials, our middle aged, and our seniors. We have to fan the flames of desire for our Christ and for his glory. We have to see that his beauty is The Beauty. He is life. He is joy. He is peace.
Jesus must be presented as our new past, present, and future. His glory is ours to share. He is our heart’s treasure that must be kept with all vigilance.
