"I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness." --- 1 Chronicles 29:17.
"He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly." --- Proverbs 2:7.
"The Lord looketh on the heart." --- 1 Samuel 16:7.
As God searches the heart and tries the reins, he cannot be deceived by outward form; we ought not, therefore, to deceive ourselves in this particular.
It is no real proof of conversion to God, if we only reform the grosser sins of our former lives, much less if we only abstain from such things as by nature we are not so much inclined to indulge; but if our hearts are so renewed by the grace of the Holy Spirit as to be firmly and habitually opposed to our most beloved lusts, we have a good evidence of a real conversion; for these inward capital enemies the Lord and all his upright followers attack most before all the rest.
If we would give over that which is dearest to us, we must first know and believe that Christ is both able and willing to help us, and has lovingly engaged his word that none shall seek his face in vain.
Let us keep this thought in our minds, and it will both stir up faith, and encourage diligence in seeking after salvation.
Mistaken souls that dream of heaven
And make them empty boast
Of inward joys and sins forgiven,
While they are slaves to lust!
Vain are our fancies, airy flights,
If faith be cold and dead;
None but a living power unites
To Christ, the living Head.
'Tis faith that changes all the heart,
'Tis faith that works by love;
That bids all sinful joys depart,
And lifts the thoughts above.
Faith must obey the Father's will,
As well as trust his grace;
A pardoning God is jealous still
For his own holiness.