"Keep thy heart with all diligence," is the counsel of the wise man; "for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23. As man "thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7. The heart must be renewed by divine grace, or it will be in vain to seek for purity of life. He who attempts to build up a noble, virtuous character independent of the grace of Christ is building his house upon the shifting sand. In the fierce storms of temptation it will surely be overthrown. David's prayer should be the petition of every soul: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10. And having become partakers of the heavenly gift, we are to go on unto perfection, being "kept by the power of God through faith." 1 Peter 1:5.

Vogt dit hjerte mer end alt andet, lyder den vise mands råd, thi derfra udspringer livet. Ord. 4, 23. Hjertet skal fornys af den guddommelige nåde. Hvis det ikke sker, er det forgæves at stræbe efter renhed i livet. Det menneske, der forsøger at danne en ædel, retskaffen karakter uafhængigt af Guds nåde, bygger sit hus på flyvesand. Det vil blive blæst omkuld i fristelsens heftige storme. Hver eneste sjæl bør bede Davids bøn: Skab mig, o Gud, et rent hjerte, giv en ny, en stadig ånd i mit indre. Sl. 58, 12. Og når vi er blevet delagtige i den himmelske gave, skal vi gå fremad mod fuldkommenheden, idet vi i Guds kraft bliver bevaret ved tro. 1. Pet. 1, 5.