“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us” (Acts 16:14-15)
Lydia lived in a city that was steeped in paganism and idolatry. She was obviously a wealthy woman since purple dye, made from certain shellfish, was very expensive. She “worshipped God” probably after the manner of the Jews, but was not saved in that condition. She was religious but her heart was not yet open to the Gospel, for no one until now had told her the truth. Paul’s words penetrated her heart and set her free.
The word “heart” in our text refers to the mind or intellect. This means that she pondered and thought about the things she was listening to. It was her mind rather than her emotions that was illuminated with the Heavenly light.
There are many places where “heart” can only mean the mind:
“And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4).
“For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matthew 13:15).
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
True faith springs from the mind that has been opened by the Spirit of God because it is based upon real truths rather than feelings, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10) ... “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Lydia paid attention to the preaching of Paul. She not only believed but put her new faith into action by receiving believer’s baptism, and encouraged others to do the same.
It is only through the word of God that the Holy Spirit can open hearts. It is only when a person comprehends and accepts the truth that he or she is saved. This is a part of what Paul was referring to in Ephesians 1:18, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” In his commentary on this verse, John Wesley wrote, “These are closed by nature and to open them is the peculiar work of God.”
The truth removes all that keeps the sinner from Christ. There is no other foundation for salvation than this. Being religious and worshipping God is not enough to secure salvation, “Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:104-105) ... “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130) ... “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
Though most people do not realise it, their hearts (minds) are closed to the truth. This is can be due to a hard and stubborn heart, but it is especially true of those steeped in religious tradition. No matter how pious and close to God such people think they are, there is always some false religious notion that keeps them from the Gospel of Christ. Jesus is a stumblingblock to the lifestyles and religion of the unsaved, “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John 5:44) ... “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:23). Like Lydia before accepting Christ, many pray to God yet they remain unsaved, and their prayers are unheard by Him. The heart that is truly after God will undoubtedly be presented with the word of God, and will wholeheartedly believe and accept it.
The Lord opens hearts today in exactly the same way and by the same means. The Jews cannot comprehend the truth while they keep the veil over their eyes, “But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart” (2 Corinthians 3:15). The Catholics cannot see beyond their religious traditions. The evolutionist cannot see anything other than Darwin. Until these hindrances are removed they will continue on in error and to damnation. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) ... “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:7-8).
Page created 2 June 2006