With All

In virtually every circle of life we've heard the undenying importance of giving our "all" to whatever it is we're trying to succeed in. Since we were in kindergarten and on through high school we were given the task to give it our all when it came to homework, tests, projects, sports, band, and good behavior. But even before that, as three and four-year-olds, we wanted all of the candy bar, all of the toys, all to ourselves. Then later, as we matured and got older we found that other areas of life also required our all - family, college, career, job, relationships, etc.

Jesus was asked by the Pharisees what the greatest commandment of the law was. Naturally, they had heard that Jesus had silenced the Saducees so they wanted to press the issue. Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). When referring to the degree of commitment required of the heart, soul, and mind, Jesus declared all. At the very top of our top ten list of being a disciple of the Master is loving God with all. That is, to set our heart, soul, and mind to seek after God's will for us as His followers. To set our heart, soul, and mind to strive to be Christ-like in our being and doing, in our thinking, speaking, and living. And this requires all of our effort, strength, and commitment.

The Greek for all implies a meaning of "whole", "complete", or "entire." To love God strongly implies a relationship. Therefore, to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind is to be in relationship with Him through Christ with a complete, whole, or entire commitment. To follow Jesus as his true disciples requires a complete commitment. This does not mean that there will never be setbacks. But it does mean that when those setbacks do come, we will not look back but rather set our face to following Christ with a complete effort. A marriage is not always smooth, it may have setbacks and bumps on the road, but that does not mean that I cannot have a complete, entire, whole, and loving commitment to my wife. I can always be in a committed and loving relationship with her in spite of bumps on the road.

We can follow Jesus with a whole heart, with a complete desire, and with an entire effort. Are you completely committed to following Jesus? Are you completely committed to thinking, speaking, and living like Jesus? Jesus gave us his all, won't we do the same?

Prayer: Lord, it is not easy for me to give my all. Yet that is what you call me to do. It is my desire to be in relationship with you with a complete heart and will. May your grace strengthen me to follow you with a full commitment. Amen.

Grace and peace to you today,
Pastor David