(3) A right heart is a heart which Believes on Christ Alone for salvation, and in which Christ dwells by faith.
“For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:10)
“that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17)
It rests all its hopes of pardon and eternal life on Christ’s atonement, Christ’s mediation, and Christ’s intercession. It is sprinkled in Christ’s blood from an evil conscience.
“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.” (Hebrews 10:22)
It turns to Christ as the compass-needle turns to the north. It looks to Christ for daily peace, mercy, and grace—as the sun-flower looks to the sun. It feeds on Christ for its daily sustenance, as Israel fed on the manna in the wilderness.
It sees in Christ a special fitness to supply all its needs and requirements. It leans on Him, hangs on Him, builds on Him, cleaves to Him, as its physician, guardian, husband, and friend.
- J. C. Ryle: Old Paths, ‘The Heart’