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An undivided heart is the only appropriate attitude we humans should have toward God. Those who follow Christ must cling to him wholeheartedly. This article offers an answer to how a follower's heart can truly be undivided.
Jesus Christ is God
“ Because God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their sins against them, and he has put the word of reconciliation into us ” (2 Cor 5:19).
The divinity of Christ has been one of the fundamental tenets of the Christian community for two millennia. In the New Testament, we find numerous passages where the divinity of Christ is manifested. Jesus Christ unmistakably claimed divine authority (cf. John 5:18; John 10:33, 36; Luke 5:20-24). The apostles refer to Jesus Christ as " God " (cf. John 1:1; John 20:28; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:8; 1 John 5:20), and He is accorded divine worship and honor (cf. Matthew 14:33; Matthew 28:17; John 9:38; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:12). The heavenly Father desires that " all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father " (John 5:23). Whoever has seen the Son has seen the Father also (cf. John 14:9). Jesus Christ is “the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). Through Christ, therefore, God came into this world. God became man (cf. Galatians 4:4) and revealed His glory in the face of Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:6).
A true follower of Christ has recognized in Christ the true Son of God and Savior of the world (cf. John 1:49; 1 John 4:14). A true follower can therefore join the Apostle Thomas in saying to Christ, “ My Lord and my God! ” (John 20:28). For this reason, an undivided heart toward God is also manifested in faithful following Christ.
The undivided heart
An undivided heart is a full and whole heart for God.
“ For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him ” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
These words were delivered by the prophet Hanani to King Asa, who was embroiled in a war. Asa, unfortunately, had a divided heart, for he desperately sought help from the pagan King Ben-Hadad. This greatly displeased God, and He sent Hanani to him with a clear message: God powerfully aligns himself with those who place their complete trust in Him (cf. 2 Chronicles 16:7-8). God is searching for people who are wholeheartedly devoted to Him.
To have an undivided heart means to have a full and whole heart for God. Those who have an undivided heart are unconditionally and completely focused on God. These are men and women who have made God the center of their lives. No other god or substitute for God has room in these hearts. They have submitted their own desires, plans, and goals to God's will. Their heartfelt decisions are made according to God's pleasure. Their affection belongs to God. Their joy is God. They love God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their strength (cf. Deuteronomy 6:5).
Idols have no place in these hearts. They give God first place in their lives. This fact is reflected in how they handle their time, money, and energy. In times of need, God is their first point of contact. They firmly hope in God's help and His sustaining power. They direct their worship and reverence toward the one true God, to whom alone belongs glory forever and ever (cf. Phil 4:20)!
What man loves most is his God.
Highest love
God bestows the highest love upon an undivided heart.
“ But Jesus answered him, ‘The first commandment is this: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” This is the first commandment.’ ” (Mark 12:29-30)
Because God is the one and only God, He alone deserves our highest love. God should have the highest and most central place in the life of a follower. The follower loves God with their thoughts and considerations. They love God with all their desires and feelings. They love God freely and with all their vital energy. All thoughts, goals, and plans are lovingly submitted to God. Because the follower loves God, they are willing to place their intellect and physical strength entirely at God's disposal.
“ Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me ” (Mt 10:37).
Jesus Christ unequivocally claims our highest love (cf. Luke 14:26). This love belongs to God alone. No object, no preferences or interests, no person, not even our own ego may displace Christ from this place. Christ should be the sole recipient of our highest love. That which we love most is our God. Therefore, Christ, in particular, should receive our highest love.
“ We love him because he first loved us ” (1 John 4:19).
Christ loved us first. He loved us in advance. Christ demonstrated his great love for us by dying for us while we were still sinners and enemies of God (cf. Rom 5:8, 10). Christ loves his followers utterly (cf. Jn 13:1). Nothing and no one can separate a follower from the love of God that is in Christ (cf. Rom 8:35-39).
The follower has recognized and wholeheartedly embraced this great love of God. Because God's love has been poured into the follower's heart (cf. Rom 5:5), the follower is now empowered to pass this love on (cf. 1 Jn 4:7-8). Love for Christ is shown in loving His word and willingly obeying His commandments (cf. Jn 14:15, 21, 23). Whoever loves Christ also loves their neighbor (cf. Mk 12:31; 1 Jn 4:7, 11, 20-21). " God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in them " (1 Jn 4:16).
Complete devotion
An undivided heart is completely surrendered to God.
“ [T]he gave himself up for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession, who are eager to do good works ” (Titus 2:14).
Christ gave His precious life so that the follower might experience forgiveness, justification, and new birth. This undeserved salvation brings about a powerful turning point in the follower's life. Because he was bought at a great price, he no longer belongs to himself, but to God (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19).
“ [B]ecome yourselves to God as those who have come alive from the dead, and offer every part of yourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. ” (Romans 6:13)
The follower is called to dedicate his life entirely to God. True devotion to God results from genuine love for God (cf. 1 Cor 13:3). The Apostle Paul was captivated by Jesus Christ (cf. Phil 3:12). His love and devotion to Christ are unparalleled and exemplary for all generations. Therefore, Paul can still exhort us today, “ to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship ” (Rom 12:1)!
Although Jesus Christ expects total devotion and self-denial from His followers (cf. Lk 9:23), He is nevertheless a generous rewarder: “ And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my name’s sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life ” (Mt 19:29).
A holy life brings the presence of God into the life of a follower.
Holy Life
An undivided heart is a sacred heart.
“ [T]hee draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and sanctify your hearts, you double-minded ” (James 4:8).
An undivided heart is a sanctified heart. This means that a follower should lead a holy life (cf. Heb 12:14; 1 Pet 1:15). God is holy, therefore the follower should also be holy (cf. 1 Pet 1:16). In the life of a follower, there must be no secret idols. All idols must be completely destroyed and utterly torn down (cf. Exod 23:24). Jesus said, “ No one can serve two masters ” (Mt 6:24).
Sanctification is not a desperate attempt to attain one's own righteousness. True sanctification is a joyful process of separation from the world with the goal of making more and more room for God within us. A follower separates himself for God. He removes everything impure and dark from his life. He turns away from the path of sin and turns completely to God (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Sanctification leads the follower into a life filled with God. A holy life brings the presence of God into the follower's life. Whoever sanctifies himself for God will rejoice in a living relationship with God. For from this springs a fruitful and productive life with eternal value (cf. Romans 6:22; Revelation 14:13).
Renewal of devotion
God is searching today for people whose hearts are entirely devoted to Him (see 2 Chronicles 16:9). People who give God their deepest love. People who surrender themselves completely to God. People who sanctify their lives for God. God desires to reveal His power and glory in the lives of these people. May this message ignite a renewal of devotion to Jesus in your life. God bless you!
Jan Friesen
Municipality of Trossingen