To Melt Hearts

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

It is said that the Christian army is the only one that will shoot its wounded.

Truth can be 100% truth, but the manner in which it is brought may turn away many souls and do untold harm.

Why did Jesus have more success in His ministry than the Scribes and Pharisees? It is nothing more than pure love. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) we see the attitude of the Pharisees towards the unfortunate ones. There is no love – only censure and avoidance. The people were frightened into serving God being told they had to pay large sums of money to the temple treasury to appease the wrath of God. They had come to understand Him as an angry God. “For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29.

Today, popular Christian doctrine teaches an ever-burning hell. Years ago the law of God was strongly preached alongside this doctrine to frighten people into attending church and giving generously of their means to support the gospel ministry. Today, the difference is that, although the ever-burning hell is still taught, the idea that it is necessary to keep the law of God is not. All you need to do is to give lip service of your love and allegiance to Christ and you will avoid ending up in the ever-burning hell fire. Jesus does all the work for you and you need make no efforts on your part. Smooth messages are preached to melt the hearts of the believers, however these messages do not lead to sanctification. Sanctification is a battle and a struggle against sinful tendencies. The key to real success is to preach doctrine, truth and sanctification in such a manner that hearts will melt.

We live very close to the end of time and we, in God’s church, are tempted to bring messages of fear (as the Christian churches did years ago), in the hopes that our erring loved ones and friends will wake up and come quickly to the fold of grace to avoid the final punishment. Some may come to the faith through fear as Jude states in verse 23 “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire.” However, this is only the starting point for some. The fearful one then needs to be led to an understanding of the love of Christ. Unless they come to this understanding and are fully committed to Christ, they will fall away when the fires of persecution are kindled. They will have no strength to stand when the whole world is arraigned against God’s people. Fear is not strong enough to save a person. Only the genuine love of Christ can give a person strength to stand in the difficult times ahead. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18.

We need to learn from the lessons from Jesus’ life. How did He successfully draw souls to turn away from the world and surrender their lives to His service? It was not through fear. He came to melt hearts. We have hearts of stone and they must be melted – how can this be done? It takes great wisdom to be able to bring the truth and doctrine in such a manner that hearts will melt.

JESUS’ EXAMPLE

Jesus was the greatest missionary this world has ever known and we need to learn from His method of teaching. Our message should be given in such a manner that the listeners will have their hearts melted when listening to the messages. “Christ Himself did not suppress one word of truth, but He spoke it always in love. He exercised the greatest tact, and thoughtful, kind attention in His intercourse with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did not censure human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy, unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He uttered His scathing rebukes. He wept over Jerusalem, the city He loved, that refused to receive Him, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. They rejected Him, the Saviour, but He regarded them with pitying tenderness, and sorrow so deep that it broke His heart. Every soul was precious in His eyes. While He always bore Himself with divine dignity, He bowed with tenderest regard to every member of the family of God. In all men He saw fallen souls whom it was His mission to save.” DA 353

“The Saviour knew that no argument, however logical, would melt hard hearts or break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness. He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenlyendowment; that the gospel would be effective only as it was proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life.” AA 31.

Love vs. doctrine. There is an imbalance between these two in the majority of religious organizations. Most will go to one extreme or the other, however a perfect balance between the two is what Jesus taught. Doctrine is very important, but it must be brought in love in order to be successful and melt the hearts of the hearers.

“Christ was just what every minister should strive to be. We should learn to imitate His character and combine strict
justice, purity, integrity , love, and noble generosity. A pleasant face in which love is reflected, with kind and courteous manners, will do more, aside from pulpit efforts, than labour in the desk can do without these. It becomes us to cultivate a deference to other people’s judgment, when, to a greater or less extent, we are absolutely dependent upon them. We should cultivate true Christian courtesy and tender sympathy, even for the roughest, hardest cases of humanity. Jesus came from the pure courts of heaven to save just such. You close your heart too readily to many who have apparently no interest in the message you bear, but who are still subjects of grace and precious in the sight of the Lord. ‘He that winneth souls is wise.’ Paul became all things to all men if by any means he might save some. You must be in a similar position. You must bend from your independence. You lack humbleness of mind. You need the softening influence of the grace of God upon your heart, that you may not irritate, but melt your way to the hearts of men, although these hearts may be affected by prejudice.” 3T 422/423

“The wonderful love of Christ will melt and subdue hearts, when the mere reiteration of doctrines would accomplish nothing.” DA826

IN MISSIONARY WORK

In doing missionary work it has happened that sometimes the human agent bringing the message has become impatient at the slow progress of the person they are studying with. The person begins to sense the impatience, or subtle push, and they do not respond well. Messages of doom and fear may even be given to encourage the person to hurry up and make a decision. However, this is not the method that Christ used. He never pushed anyone. He drew them to the truth with chords of love that melted the hearts of the listeners.

As I stated in the beginning, a person may be speaking 100% truth, however, the manner in which it is brought can result in a complete reversal of the expected results. Tact is an important key. The truth of Jesus when brought in a correct manner will melt hearts.

“Tact and good judgment increase the usefulness of the labourer a hundredfold. If he will speak the right words at the right time, and show the right spirit, this will exert a melting power on the heart of the one he is trying to help.” Ev 638

“Ministers of God, with hearts aglow with love for Christ and your fellow men, seek to arouse those who are dead in trespasses and sins. Let your earnest entreaties and warnings pierce their consciences. Let your fervent prayers melt their hearts, and lead them in penitence to the Saviour. You are ambassadors for Christ, to proclaim His message of salvation.” Ev 22

“Bible Instructors.–Let strong reasons for our faith be presented from the Word of God, and let the truth in its sanctifying power melt its way to the hearts and minds of those who are under conviction. As the helpers give Bible readings in the homes of the people, the Lord [not your arguments] just as surely works on minds as He does in the public services.” Ev 489

“Principal and teachers need to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. The earnest prayer of contrite souls will be lodged by the throne, and God will answer these prayers in His own time if we cling to His arm by faith. Let self be merged in Christ, and Christ in God, and there will be such a display of His power as will melt and subdue hearts. Christ taught in a way altogether different from ordinary methods, and we are to be labourers together with Him.” 6T 153.

“When you go to any place to labour, do not be dictatorial, do not be severe, do not be antagonistic. Preach the love of Christ, and this will melt and subdue hearts. Seek to be of one mind and of one judgment, coming close in harmony with your brethren, and to speak the same things.” 1SM 181

From the above counsels what is it that will melt the hearts of the people we are studying with? It is fervent prayer, truth in its sanctifying power, when self is merged in Christ and preaching the truth in love. It is not any of our religious arguments or commands that will succeed in melting hearts. It is Jesus that does it and not the human instrument.

“It requires much forethought and wisdom from God to labour successfully for the salvation of sinners. If the soul of the labourer is filled with the grace of God, his teaching will not irritate his hearers, but melt its way to their hearts and open them for the reception of the truth.” 4T 263

The heart must be melted first, then the listener will accept doctrine. Some try to reverse the process by preaching doctrine first and then the love of Christ, but this reversal produces little results.

DISCIPLINING CHILDREN

Parents often become irritated as they see their children straying and failing to live up to the standard that they have been taught. They become impatient, hoping to see greater progress and are tempted to become overly firm and strict. This kind of discipline will only produce fear in children, not love. They will not feel like they are sinners, but they will feel like they are a victim of their parents’ anger. This will never produce the positive results Jesus is looking for.

“To manifest passion toward an erringchild is to increase the evil. It arouses the worst passions of the child and leads him to feel that you do not care for him. He reasons with himself that you could not treat him so if you cared… And think you that God takes no cognizance of the way in which these children are corrected? He knows, and He knows also what might be the blessed results if the work of correction were done in a way to win rather than to repel.” CG 245

“Be so calm, so free from anger, that they will be convinced that you love them, even though you punish them.” CG 249

“Severity and justice, unmingled with love, will not lead your children to do right. ?Notice how quickly the combative spirit is aroused in them. Now there is a better way to manage them than by mere compulsion. Justice has a twin sister, which is love. Let love and justice clasp hands in all your management, and you will surely have the help of God to co-operate with your efforts. The Lord, your gracious Redeemer, wants to bless you, and give you His mind, and His grace, and His salvation, that you may have a character which God can approve.” CG 262

“First reason with your children, clearly point out their wrongs, and impress upon them that they have not only sinned against you, but against God. With your heart full of pity and sorrow for your erring children, pray with them before correcting them. Then they will see that you do not punish them because they have put you to inconvenience, or because you wish to vent your displeasure upon them, but from a sense of duty, for their good; and they will love and respect you.

“That prayer may make such an impression on their minds that they will see that you are not unreasonable. And if the children see that you are not unreasonable, you have gained a great victory. This is the work that is to be carried on in our family circles in these last days.” CG 253

WHEN WRONGS ARE DONE TO US

How do we react when others do us wrong? Humanity, without Christ, will become negative, angry, retaliatory and possibly seek revenge or seek to proclaim abroad the abuse of the guilty one, tainting the reputation of the person. The offender may be 100% guilty, however, if we react incorrectly, we become a sharer in the guilt. If we seek to bring attention to ourselves, complaining of the suffering, we sin. Self is alive. Self needs to die. Has it ever been written that Jesus complained about how the people of Nazareth mistreated Him? He grew up in that city and He knew many of the people personally. We read of the terrible way they treated Him when He returned during His ministry to bring messages of truth and light to them. They pushed Him out of the synagogue and up on a hill and were ready to throw Him down, but God intervened. Jesus had plenty of reasons to complain. Did He go about saying, “Do you know what those Nazarenes did to me?”

?Also when in Samaria the Samaritans “did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.” They did not like the Jews in Jerusalem or anyone who would be friendly with them. “And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?” James and John reacted humanly. Theywere quite displeased at the coldness, hard heartedness of the Samaritans. But this was not Jesus’ method of working. “He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” Luke 9:53-56. Jesus simply went away. Later, there was a great harvest of souls in Samaria. Jesus never
sought to defend His self. If people rejected Him, He simply went away with sorrow in His heart and worked elsewhere.

Jesus was completely mistreated and, according to the ways of the world, the disciples were 100% right in demanding punishment for the mistreatment, but Jesus did things differently. He was not a selfish person. He rather had pity on the sinners because He knew that He was accepted by His Father and, if proved faithful, He will inherit eternal life, but these poor sinners are doomed to the fires of hell unless they repent. Jesus’ method is to plead in our behalf to His heavenly Father for more time for us to repent.

On Jesus’ way to the cross, the women were weeping when they saw His suffering. How would we react if we were in Jesus’ place? It makes us feel good when people sympathise with us in sorrow when we’ve been mistreated by others, does it not? We gain allies and support, strengthening us in the belief that we were wrongly mistreated, but also, unfortunately, creating negative feelings for the wrongdoer. No, Jesus did not accept their sympathy. “Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.” Luke 23:28-30 Jesus could see the future – He saw Jerusalem ?surrounded by the armies of Rome – He saw the horrific manner in which many of them would perish. They had rejected Jesus and therefore forfeited His protection. Not once did Jesus think of Himself – He only thought of others.

We must be able to say the same. If we’ve been mistreated and others sympathise with us, we need to say, “Don’t sympathise with me – weep not for me – but weep for the guilty. They have lost their connection with Jesus and will perish in the fires of hell unless they repent.” And it needs to be said, not with contempt, but with tears of sorrow in our voice as Jesus did when He wept over Jerusalem. “We should not allow our feelings to be easily wounded. We are to live, not to guard our feelings or our reputation, but to save souls. As we become interested in the salvation of souls we cease to mind the little differences that so often arise in our association with one another… Do all that lies in your power, without the sacrifice of principle, to conciliate others… Words spoken in reply to one who is angry sometimes serve only to exasperate. But anger met with silence, in a tender, forbearing spirit, quickly dies away.” MH 485. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

“Those who go forth to lay their private grievances before others might better remain at home to pray, to surrender their perverse will to God, to fall on the Rock and be broken, to die to self that Jesus may make them vessels unto honour. ” AH 38

“So long as we are in the world, we shall meet with adverse influences. There will be provocations to test the temper; and it is by meeting these in a right spirit that Christian graces are developed. If Christ dwells in us, we shall be patient, kind, and forbearing, cheerful amid frets and irritations. Day by day and year by year we shall conquer self, and grow into noble heroism.” MH 487.

By our correct reaction when others have done us wrong, we can melt the hearts of the wrongdoer, winning them back to Christ.

DEAL GENTLY

Open sin must be dealt with according to Matthew 18, as it cannot be permitted to continue to weaken the cause of God.?The important question is how can this be done in order to obtain positive results? The manner in which the correction is brought is very important. This can be a strong factor in the decision that the person makes. The purpose of discipline is not to drive a person away when they are weak and they falter. The scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ day were guilty of this and I have seen people in God’s church make similar mistakes. Discipline is for healing, renewal and a recommitment. The person to be disciplined must see the love of Christ emanating from the giver of the correction or then it may drive them further away. The purpose is not to divide, but to restore; to melt the hearts of those receiving the discipline.

“Let us not try to work ourselves or others, but let us depend upon the Holy Spirit. Deal gently with human beings. With hearts full of spiritual tenderness, melt your way into convicted hearts. Let your words be dipped in the heavenly oil from the two olive branches. We need the golden oil emptied into prepared vessels, that it may be communicated to those who are seeking for the truth. Ever remember that it is ‘not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’ ” 2MCP 440

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1

God wants us to help one another by a manifestation of sympathy and unselfish love. There are those who have inherited peculiar tempers and dispositions. They may be hard to deal with; but are we faultless? They are not to be discouraged. Their errors are not to be made common property. Christ pities and helps those who err in judgment. He has suffered death for every man, and because of this He has a touching and profound interest in every man.

“A man may be trying to serve God, but temptations from within and from without assail him. Satan and his angels urge and coax him to transgress. Perhaps he falls a prey to their temptings. How then do his brethren treat him? Do they speak harsh, cutting words, driving him further from the Saviour? What a sad sight for Christ and the angels to behold!
“Let us remember that we are struggling and falling, failing in speech and action to represent Christ, falling and rising again, despairing and hoping. Let us beware of dealing unkindly with those who, like ourselves, are subjects of temptation and who, like ourselves also, are the objects of Christ’s unfailing love.” 9T 222

“In Sabbath school work we shall be called upon to deal with those who make mistakes, who fall into sin and error. Christ has given us lessons in His word that are very plain in regard to the treatment of the erring; but many have failed to practice these lessons. They have not studied and treasured them in the heart, so that the Holy Spirit could enlighten the darkened understanding, and melt and break the stony heart of both teacher and pupil. The Holy Spirit will make the heart sensitive, sympathetic, and rid it of pride and selfishness.

“Pupils in Sabbath school are likely to do that which will annoy the teacher, by their misconduct. But the teacher must not speak sharp words, and manifest an uncontrolled spirit; for in so doing he will not be using the sword of the Spirit, but the weapons of Satan. Although the misconduct of the scholar is trying, although the evil must be corrected, the rules observed, and justice respected, yet let the teacher keep the way of the Lord, and mingle mercy with justice. Let him look to the cross of Calvary, beholding there how mercy and truth have met together, how righteousness and peace have kissed each other. There, through the divine sacrifice, man may be reconciled to God. In contemplating the love of Christ, your heart will be softened to deal with the youth as with younger members of the Lord’s family. You will remember that they are Christ’s property, and your disposition will be to deal with them after the manner in which Christ has dealt with you.

“Harsh dealing will never help the youth to see his errors, or aid him to reform. Let the rules and regulations of the school be carried out in the Spirit of Jesus, and when reproof must be given, let this disagreeable work be done with sorrow blended with love. Do not feel that it is your work to openly rebuke the pupil, and thus humiliate him before the whole school. This will not be a proper example to set before the children, for it will be as seed that will bear a like harvest. Never publish the errors of any pupil outside the circle in which they must be known; for, if ?this is done, sympathy will be created for the wrongdoer, by leaving an impression on the mind that he has been dealt with
unjustly. By exposing the wrongdoer, he may be thrown upon Satan’s battlefield, and from that moment go steadily downward. Christ bears long with us, and we must be Christlike. He does not cut us off because of our errors, but reproves in tenderness, and by love draws us close to Himself.

“If the teacher, through the grace of Christ, is self-controlled, and holds the lines with a steady, patient hand, he will quell the boisterous element, keep his self-respect, and command the respect of his students. When once order is restored, let kindness, gentleness, and affection be manifested. It may be that rebellion will rise again and again, but let not the hasty temper appear. Do not speak sharply to the evildoer, and discourage a soul who is struggling with the powers of darkness. Be still, and let your heart ascend in prayer to God for help. Angels will come close to your side, and help you to lift up the standard against the enemy; and instead of cutting off the erring one, you may be enabled to gain a soul for Christ.” CSW 171-173. It is difficult to work with the rebellious and those who are unappreciative of our efforts, however if we do not give up, but continue showing the love of Christ, there is a chance that their hearts can be melted.

HOW JESUS DEALT WITH LUCIFER

We can learn much from Jesus’ manner of dealing with those who have left the fold of safety. It all began with Lucifer and we can see how his heart was almost melted by the love of Jesus, but pride held him back. “Lucifer was convinced that he was in the wrong… He nearly reached the decision to return, but pride forbade him.” PP 39

“Satan trembled as he viewed his work. He was alone in meditation upon the past, the present, and his future plans. His mighty frame shook as with a tempest. An angel from heaven was passing. He called him and entreated an interview with Christ. This was granted him. He then related to the Son of God that he repented of his rebellion and wished again the favour of God. He was willing to take the place God had previously assigned him, and be under His wise command. Christ wept at Satan’s woe but told him, as the mind of God, that he could never be received ?into heaven. Heaven must not be placed in jeopardy. All heaven would be marred should he be received back, for sin and rebellion originated with him. The seeds of rebellion were still within him. He had, in his rebellion, no occasion for his course, and he had hopelessly ruined not only himself but the host of angels also, who would then have been happy in heaven had he remained steadfast. The law of God could condemn but could not pardon.” SR 26. Although Satan was cast out of heaven forever, Jesus wept with him as he related to him the news. So much sorrow fills the heart of Jesus when He sees sinners reject His mercy and turn away from Him. He is pleading with us today, while there is still time “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11. Jesus wants to give you a new heart – to melt your heart. Don’t harden your heart as did Lucifer when Jesus brought His loving appeals to him.

IN CONCLUSION

“The Lord wants His people to follow other methods than that of condemning wrong, even though the condemnation be just. He wants us to do something more than to hurl at our adversaries charges that only drive them further from the truth. The work which Christ came to do in our world was not to erect barriers and constantly thrust upon the people the fact that they were wrong. He who expects to enlighten a deceived people must come near to them and labour for them in love. He must become a centre of holy influence.” 6T 122

“In the advocacy of the truth the bitterest opponents should be treated with respect and deference. Some will not respond to our efforts, but will make light of the gospel invitation. Others–even those whom we suppose to have passed the boundary of God’s mercy–will be won to Christ. The very last work in the controversy may be the enlightenment of those who have not rejected light and evidence, but who have been in midnight darkness and have in ignorance worked against the truth. Therefore treat every man as honest. Speak no word, do no deed, that will confirm any in unbelief.” 6T 122

Do your words melt hearts or irritate? ?Do people depict love in your words and actions, or severity? Do we get irritated and angry when wrongs are done to ourselves? Then we are guilty of being selfish. Jesus was able to say, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) when they were nailing Him to the cross. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” 1 Peter 2:21-23.

When Stephen was stoned he made a similar request to the heavenly Father. “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” Acts 7:60. This is our example. Because faithful followers of Jesus have been able to do this during the Dark Ages when the Papal persecution was strong, the church grew. The calm and peaceful manner in which God’s people faced opposition, torture and death was a strong witness for the truth. They had no anger or fear since they were hiding behind the cross of Calvary. All the abuse heaped on them was, in reality, abuse that was heaped on Jesus. They recognized their nothingness – they had no value in which to glory in themselves. They counted it a privilege to suffer persecution for Jesus – they rejoiced as Paul and Silas did in their prison cell (Acts 16:25). Until we become like Jesus in the face of opposition, we will not be counted worthy to enter the city of God. Self is alive and must be crucified as Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

May God help us to have Jesus living in us so that our words will melt the hearts of others – drawing them with the chords of love, being patient in opposition, doing our work for the Master, so that when Jesus returns He will say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23.
AMEN

Wendy Eaton, Australia