“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51.10 NIV).

My computer of many years crashed (smoke and all), so my husband bought me another computer right when a new programming system came out. I was so excited! I knew I would have to adjust to the new system, but I was sure that I would be just as efficient if not more so when I got the hang of it. Little did I know….

At first, everything on my computer screen looked somewhat familiar but misplaced. I had to search for the programs I used, and I had difficulty accessing the Internet. My music, photos, word files and other documents were all tucked away in mysterious places, and I had trouble finding them. However, as I began to use my computer for the various day-to-day tasks of life, things went from bad to worse.

I couldn’t create or print labels. I couldn’t print online tickets. I couldn’t let my kids play their learning games online. I couldn’t upload any of the photos from my phone. And if my computer was idle for more than five minutes, I couldn’t access any of the windows that I had just opened. I couldn’t research, create or produce. I was no longer efficient on the computer; I was positively ineffective!

I was conflicted because I couldn’t tell if my problems were occurring because I wasn’t getting it or if there was something wrong with my computer.

I finally called tech support, and the man on the other side of phone took control of my computer. As I watched him search through my files, he finally pulled up a screen that had pages of error signals and warnings. He explained that the systems of my computer were not working together properly;  each time I used a new program, malfunctions were occurring. The problem wasn’t my incompetence; it was the programming system. I was so relieved! We finally replaced the corrupted computer.

In the same way, because sin entered our world, the “programing systems” of our heart have been corrupted (Jeremiah 17.9) But God has given us the Holy Spirit as our tech support and a brand new heart through Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we literally become a new creation–the old life is gone and the new one begins (2 Corinthians 5.17). As we communicate with God, read the Bible, and grow in a local church, the Holy Spirit teaches us how to walk according to the systems of our new heart, and we begin to be transformed into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3.18).

There is something so freeing in knowing that though our hearts are indeed corrupted by sin, we have the awesome privilege of claiming a new heart in Christ! And though our old tainted heart systems try to regain control, the Holy Spirit will give us warning signals to remind us to rely only on His system of TRUTH. God also gives us lots of grace because He understands that we are trying to use our new perfected heart systems in a world still corrupted by sin. But we can have peace knowing that God has already given us the victory through Jesus!

Question: What can you do today to walk according to the new heart systems God has given you through salvation in Jesus Christ?

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15.56-57 NIV).

 

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