Do you want to go to heaven? I think I know the answer to that question. The answer is probably the same for everyone reading this blog tonight. We all want to be saved and spend eternity with God and all the saints. The question is how do we turn this hope into reality? What is the “heart” of salvation?

We sometimes use the word heart in the idiom, “the heart of the matter,” to refer to the “the most important, basic, or fundamental essence of a matter.” If I were to use the word “heart” from that standpoint in the question, “what is the heart of salvation?” there could be several correct answers. Grace, love, faith, forgiveness are all central elements that make salvation possible. However, that is not how I am using the word “heart” in the above question. I am referring to the real, biblical heart. What is the kind of heart that leads to life now, and eternity with God at His appointed time?

The heart of salvation is sincerity. A sincere heart is not always revealed by our outward actions. Hypocrisy can sometimes make the ungodly appear to be godly by outward works. Jesus con-demned the Pharisees for their outward works that were produced by insincere hearts.

Matthew 23:25 (ESV)
²⁵ “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

The outside of the cup and plate represent the outward behavior of the scribes and Pharisees, while the inside represents their heart. Hearts full of greed and self-indulgence will not lead one to heaven. Our outward actions might fool man, but God cannot be fooled. Throughout Matthew 23, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, and two things become clear—

First, outward behavior is important. Jesus never indicated to the scribes and Pharisees that their behavior was not important. Earlier in the text, Jesus emphasized the importance of paying tithes, since, at the time, it was a part of the law (Matthew 23:23). Over the years, many have devalued the importance of proper living by suggesting that all that is needed for salvation is faith, and anyone who says otherwise is a legalist. That is nonsense. If it were true, Jesus, Himself, would be a legalist (Matthew 7:21). Outward behavior does matter.

The second thing that is clear in Matthew 23 is that any acceptable behavior must begin with a sincere heart. All the good works in the world will not save the person whose heart is not right with God. Jesus did not condemn cups and plates being clean on the outside; He condemns them for being unclean on the inside. It was a matter of what should come first.

Matthew 23:26 (KJV)
²⁶ Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

The commandments of God must be kept. According to Jesus, we must be doers of God’s will if we want to enter the kingdom of God. But, all of our doing and commandment-keeping must pro-ceed from a sincere heart. That is the “heart” of salvation.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.