Wholehearted

When we think whole-hearted commitment we think of someone who is all in. There is no pulling back. Someone who is half-hearted is not really committed at all. How does this apply to Christianity? Can you have a halfhearted Christian? The very idea makes Jesus sick (Revelation 3:16). The Israelites found out that there is a price to pay for half-heartedness (Numbers 32:11). It really comes down to faith (Isaiah 7:9). Without faith, we cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus indicated that it would take wholehearted devotion to be His disciple (Mark 8:35; Luke 9:23) The Apostle Paul was willing to lay down his life for Jesus (Acts 21:10-14). Likewise, we are called to live sacrificial lives (Romans 12:1-2).  The catalog of heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 is a veritable who’s who of people who lived out their faith in wholehearted commitment. Like them, we are challenged to look to the one who is the author of our faith and follow the path of perseverance (Hebrews 12:1-3). By contrast, halfhearted people are not worthy to follow Christ (Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:62; cf. Zephaniah 1:6). It is the commitment that pushes through to the end that gives us a share in Christ (Hebrews 3:14). In fact, the ones who starts well and then falls back is worse off than when they started (2 Peter 2:20).

People do not start out in the Christian life with the goal of being halfhearted.  If they were apathetic to begin with they would not even bother to start. So what makes people go from new life and spiritual enthusiasm to complacency and decline? One thing that leads to complacency is a shallow view of God’s Word. We begin to look at the Word of God as a literary work much like poetry, and we attend a prophetic utterance much like a literary critic. We admire the beauty of the form, but miss the sense of power that should come with its delivery (Ezekiel 33:31-32). Materialism can also dampen our ardor for God (Hosea 13:6; Mark 4:19). Eternal values give way to temporal desire and we end up giving our soul away for a little bit of nothing (Mark 8:35-37; Luke 21:34; Hebrews 12:16-17). Because our hearts are so easily captivated by other things we must take care to guard them (Proverbs 4:23; 1 Timothy 6:10). Me must put all other loves out of the running and love Jesus alone. Otherwise, it is curtains for us. We can not serve two masters (Luke 16:13). Perhaps that is why Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to love God with our whole heart (Matt. 22:37). It is wholehearted devotion God wants. There really is no such thing as a halfhearted Christian. That would be a contradiction in terms.

United in Purpose

We were blessed to have missionaries stay with us this last weekend. Our church had a weekend mission focus. I was saddened by the turnout we had on Saturday for our cultural awareness luncheon. Though the event was announced well in advance, when the time came, most begged off with one excuse or another. It was similar to the parable of The Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-23). Everyone had an excuse not to come. Sunday morning we had good attendance and the missions offering was good, but again, Sunday night was sparse. It must be disheartening travel hours to share the mission work God has laid upon your heart and find little interest.

Our missionaries were kind and took it all in stride. They shared with those who were there and were gracious guests in our home. It was evident that their passion was strong. Their lives are dedicated to God in total submission.

If we call Jesus master, and believe the Bible to be our rule of life, we too should have more than a passing interest in missions. Jesus commissioned us to teach others about Him (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). The love of Christ compelled Paul to give his life to spread the Word of God (2 Cor. 5:14-15). The book of Acts is a missionary document. The very purpose of Christ coming to earth is a missions statement (Luke 19:10).

When we see mission work as the purpose of God for each one of us and not just for a select few, we are on our way to joining the united purpose of God. And when we lend our support to missionaries who are on the field we are supporting the purposes of God. God is pleased when we give our resources to support missionaries (Phil. 4:15, 18). Mission work is a joint enterprise. Those who unite their hearts and hands to missions unite themselves together in the great purpose of God. Hearts untouched by missions are untouched by the purpose of God. Each of us must ask ourselves, "Whose purpose do we really serve?"

No Exceptions

I am always amazed at what draws people away from the Lord. For some people, it is a hobby that consumes their time. For others, it is a job. Some are overcome by desire. Whatever it is, if it draws us away from the Lord, it is wrong. Instead of allowing ourselves to be drawn away from the Lord, we should allow the Lord to direct all our energies. The Bible tells us that we should do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17). If we enjoy a hobby, listen to music, fulfill a desire, do a job, or otherwise spend time doing anything, it all must be done without any dishonor or offense to Christ. Everything we do must come under review and meet with his approval. If it cannot, then it will drive us away from Christ. We are told to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and not to focus on how to gratify our sinful desires (Romans 13:14). Christ must be Lord of all or he is not Lord at all. We are warned not to try to serve two masters. We can not serve Christ and serve our own desires (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). Christ must be master of our life in all areas. No exceptions.