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INTRODUCTION:     "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature" (Gal 6:15).

"Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;" Eph. 2:15

"And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" Col 3:10

1. DEFINITION: HEART: kardia {kar-dee'-ah}, the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind);.

2. DEFINITION: SANCTIFY: hagiazo {hag-ee-ad'-zo}; to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: -hallow, be holy, sanctify.

3.To sanctify one's heart then is to consecrate or purify one's thoughts or feelings.

4. Then we understand there is some action we need to take to maintain our hearts; our feelings or thoughts.

I. First we are made new. That means we receive a new heart. We then have the ability to serve God.

A. Having a new heart does not mean we will always use it. It means we have a new heart with the nature now to want to serve God and the ability as a child of God to please Him.

B. We can choose not to use it.

1. We can choose not to obey God.

2. We can begin to serve the Lord and then quit.

3. We can partially serve the Lord, and be partially unfaithful.

C. We then must make a real and honest effort to sanctify our heart. We must make a commitment then to live for the Lord. To sanctify means to dedicate one's self to the Lord, or set one's self apart to serve God and obey Him.

1. It is easy for a new Christian to be motivated at first. Knowledge of ones sins being forgiven and receiving eternal life is an encouragement to live for the Lord.

2. The support of new friends and other Christians in the church encourages a new Christian.

3. But, when things gets tough or a new believer fails to obey God and commits some sin, he can become discouraged. If a new believer is not part of local church and learning the Bible and then making a real personal effort to use what he learns he can become ineffective in his Christian life. It is important for a new Christian to have the encouragement and support of others sustain and challenge him..

4. Like new married couple many new Christian live for a while on feelings and the newness of their relationship with God. But in time the newness wears off and it takes a strong commitment to continue to grow in Christ and experience a close relationship. Half of all marriages fail because of a lack of commitment to the marriage.

Making a commitment to the Lord to live for Him in gratitude for His saving them, is vital to continuing on strongly serving the Lord.

II. SOME SCRIPTURES WHICH HELP US TO MAINTAIN OUR HEARTS.

A. By loving one another.

" And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we {do} to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." 1 Thess. 3:12-13

B. By fleeing lust maintains one's heart.

"Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Tim. 2:22

C. By not hardening our hearts to God's conviction and urging to do right and follow him.

Using Israel as an example:

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said:"Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, {was it} not all who came out of Egypt, {led} by Moses? Now with whom was He angry forty years? {Was it} not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?" (Hebrews 3:12-17)

D. By living by the Word of God.

"For the word of God {is} living and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 3:12-17).

E. By drawing near to the Lord.

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and {having} a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of {our} hope without wavering, for He who promised {is} faithful" (Hebrews 10:19-23).

F. By trusting and living in the assurance of our salvation.

"And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him" (1 John 3:19).

H. By resisting temptation.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse {your} hands, you sinners; and purify {your} hearts, {you} double minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom" (James 4:7-9).

III. CONCLUSION: REASONS TO MAINTAIN OUR HEARTS.

A. BECAUSE IT IS PRECIOUS TO GOD.

Do not let your beauty be that outward {adorning} of arranging the hair, of wearing gold, or of putting on {fine} apparel; but {let it be} the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible {ornament} of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:3-4).

B. CHRIST IS COMING SOON.

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See {how} the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand" (James 5:7-8).

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