The Lord Opens Hearts

By Ron Thomas     Have you ever wondered how the Lord opens hearts? The Scripture gives two avenues by which this done.     First, in Acts 16:14, the Scripture reads, "The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul" (Acts 16:14). How did this occur? In the first portion of the verse, Lydia heard the things Paul was preaching; it intrigued her, she wanted to hear more. With this hearing of the message's substance, the Lord's message got to her. Thus, she and her household were baptized. She wanted to be identified with One Paul spoke about.     Second, in Acts 16:25ff, Paul and Silas were incarcerated for preaching the Gospel message of Christ. The accusation leveled against them? "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe" (16:20-21). It is evident, from the reading of the context, at least some in the Roman influenced area wanted nothing to do with the message of hope, so they accused the Lord's preachers of preaching unlawful things. That evening, after Paul and Silas were imprisoned, an earthquake occurred. The jailer of that Philippian jail was moved to come and stand before Paul and Silas and ask what he must do to be saved (16:31-33). Paul told him, and he and his house were baptized, identifying with the One killed by the Jewish community.     The Lord opens hearts. He does this by His message, and He does this by circumstances people experience in life.     Are you listening?

- Ron Thomas preaches for the Church of Christ at Rio Grande in Bidwell, OH. He may be contacted at etsop95@gmail.com