It is said of Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:2) that he followed God, but not with a whole heart, and it is said of Josiah (2 Kings 23:25) that he followed God with a whole heart. With this in mind and as we make application, how do we love God with a whole heart?
CHRIST does tell us in John that if we love HIM, we will keep HIS commandments, so I feel that the first step is to do what he asks of us. Another thing is the desire to do them. The people at Laodicea CHRIST talked to were the exact opposite we should be in our worship. We have to want to serve HIM. It can not be just a simple routine that we have just done all our lives. We have to want to serve HIM and do HIS will, otherwise HE will spit us out of HIS mouth. We can never just ride the fence and cruise. It has to be a full desire and no desire at all to go against HIM in any way.
ReplyDeleteJosiah followed God with a "whole heart". To me that means a singleness of devotion, an appreciation for the value of his service to God. It requires an unconditional and zealous preference for God.
ReplyDeleteThis being descriptive of Josiah's relationship with God, one might consider; "Why was he cut off right in the prime of his usefulness"? What might he have accomplished for God and Judah if he had been given more years of life?
In thinking on this matter I considered the following:
1. We do not know what might have happened to Josiah had he lived longer.
2. God will accomplish His plans with, or without specific individuals.
3. Perhaps God was actually sparing him. (He did not live to see the captivity and Babylonian bondage).
We can say for sure that our service to God should emulate that of Josiah and be filled with vigor, courage, and resolution toward our creator.