Christ the Lord Opens Our Hearts (Acts 16:14)

“Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.” (Acts 16:14 NKJV)

Who can open our hearts to receive Christ, even to heed things written in the Scripture? There is only One who can do it is the Lord Jesus Christ. Who can make the scripture known and understood to our hearts? Christ Jesus is the One who can do it by means of the Spirit according to the plan made even before the creation of the world. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-14 NKJV) No man can do this besides God Himself.

Then, what’s our part in witnessing of the gospel including Paul? It’s simply used as the noble instruments of God. Paul and Silas went to the riverside to pray in Philippi and there he met a group of women and spoke to Lydia. The Lord Jesus opened her heart to heed things spoken by the Apostle. It is said by Jesus, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44 NKJV) Salvation is entirely and completely up to the Father in heaven.

“For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” (Romans 9:9-13 NKJV)

We all in Christ Jesus are called for His good works in each sanctified place at work or study, in driving or home, or wherever. That’s what we are in Christ because we’re washed and cleansed by His blood. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV)