Only two know your heart

Acts 8:18-23 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

The early church was suffering great persecution and had scattered for safety; God used their persecution and scattering to begin to spread the gospel. Christ was being preached in places and to people that might never had heard because of prejudices and backgrounds without the persecution. God used a leader of that persecution, Saul who became Paul, to write much of the New Testament, and God used his testimony in ways even today we can’t begin to understand. God is always at work either allowing or designing everything to fit his purpose. Our little minds cannot comprehend even a glimpse of the sovereignty of God.

Simon was a magician who had on the surface seemingly come to faith after hearing the gospel. Somewhere in him Satan still had a great stronghold on his heart, and Simon still thought he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit from God. Simon was playing to be a Christian, but in his heart their was still much sin. Had he professed with his mouth and not his heart? How many today go through the motions for the wrong reasons just as him? How many today sign cards, say prayers, or just attend church on Sunday but their heart has never changed? How many live a life of hypocrisy and will pay for their mistake eternally? God knows the heart, and sadly most false believers may even in their heart know they are not right with God; but the pleasure of sin they will not let go of. You can see where Peter points to Simon that his heart is not right with God in verse twenty-two.

You cannot call yourself a Christian and not live a different life that before you came to repent and believe in the gospel. The gospel is not your fire insurance; it is not your get out of jail card; it is not a pass to live under grace and continue to sin. Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? There are two groups of people, those who are saved and those who are not. Sadly many may think they are, but will hear the scariest words in the Bible from Jesus one day; Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ If you have truly had a change in your heart, and a desire to live the rest of your life as a disciple of Jesus Christ, you live your life with eternal security and the cares and fears of this world no longer bind you. This security is only found between you and God, for only you and God know your heart.