Whole Hearted

God has asked every Christian to be whole hearted. The Creator of everything that exists actually has earned the right to demand this of humans. Instead, He has lovingly requested that we commit ourselves to Him of our own freewill. Some people maintain that they love God but never have shown the least bit of whole-heartedness. We should have strong feelings about the love that God has shown toward us. Heaven will be full of people who have a fervor or strong desire to fight for righteousness. With the proper devotion and enthusiasm a whole hearted Christian is the happiest person in the world. There is something very freeing in our life when we are submissive to the God of all creation. Many times the Old Testament gave directions to be wholehearted and David was the best. You have not been like my servant David, who obeyed my commands and followed me with all his heart and always did whatever I wanted. 1 Kings 14:8 (NLT) Most of us would like to be loved like David. Let’s look at some of the old instructions and maybe we will feel that being whole hearted about God is for us.

If we have strayed from our faith in God it is our duty to search for Him again. When Israel had been dispersed among the nations, because of their sins, the Lord Almighty sent this message to them.  But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him. Deut 4:29 (NLT) What a great promise, that if we search with all our heart God will take us back into His care. It would be terrible if the Lord were to hold grudges and our wholeheartedness had no meaning to Him. God has asked us to love Him because it is appropriate behavior toward our great and loving Creator. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands (righteous living) that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Deut 6:5-7 (NLT) Teaching children to obey God is our duty and a part of being whole hearted.

Some people are confused when we tell them they must fear God. However, those that are wholehearted understand exactly why we fear God. And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. Deut 10:12 (NLT) somehow it feels right because of the greatness of our God. Most people have week knees when they stand before a judge or leader of our nation. There are many blessings while we live here on earth for people that want to obey the Lord our God.  If you carefully obey all the commands (live righteously) I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons— Deut 11:13-14 (NLT) When Jesus was talking to his disciples He said that if they would put God first in their lives that every other part of their life would be taken care of by God. It is a great feeling to know that God is caring for each of His children.

Being whole hearted is serious to God. At times He will even test people so that they will be able to see their own heart. The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul. Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. Deut 13:3-4 (NLT) Fearing God by listening and obeying are the foundations for a great relationship and if we are tested it is always for our benefit. Some people tell us that because the grace of Jesus covers our sin, there is no reason to live righteously. They do not understand the great difference between not caring about their sins and the failures of Christians that are whole hearted toward God. The Lord always wants us to be righteous. Today the Lord your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations. So be careful to obey them wholeheartedly. Deut 26:16 (NLT) Living for God is the most important thing that a human can do with their life. A careless attitude is counterproductive to our eternity.

Every Christian should mature enough to teach someone about Jesus. I will continue to teach you what is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you. 1 Sam 12:23-24 (NLT) An old song tells us to count our blessings. The number must be enormous if we start counting with each breath the Lord gives us. The great thing is that the more faithful we are to Jesus, the more wonderful things there are to remember. But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul. Josh 22:5 (NLT) There are people that will say “We don’t follow the law of Moses anymore.” This is true but the law of the Spirit is written in every redeemed heart and it is many times more demanding. It is not reasonable to think that our great God does not want us to obey Him.

Humans have always had help if they would accept it. I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God Jer 24:7 (NLT) There are people who claim serving God is too difficult. They fail to realize that someone seeking the Creator will be given a new heart with great understanding and ability. We may enter into a covenant with God which is the greatest opportunity ever given to any person. Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul. For they had entered into it with all their heart. They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. 2 Chron 15:12,15 (NLT) The fact is that because of the Spirit of God living in us we have a chance to serve that far exceeds all of the Old Testament provisions. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11 (NLT) This whole hearted and eternal life is worth any and every price that can be paid. Praise the Lord!