“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.” 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (NIV)
God desires for every heir of mercy to be a wholehearted and willing follower of sweet Jesus. As believers we are to go forth “building our temples” to look more and more like our Lord. He was to be the firstborn above many brothers. I have three siblings and we are each individual and unique. Yet we all bear a resemblance in some ways - whether in looks, personalities or in differing characteristics of our parents. This is what God is looking for in each of His children. How much do we resemble our Big Brother Jesus? God is not as interested in our head knowledge of Him (though that too is important) as much as He is desirous for us to take what we learn from our heads to our hearts to our hands. What we know is to reflect in how we live. Many have God’s Word in their minds and memories but it does not seem to move to their hearts and hands. Head knowledge will only puff up – it is love that edifies. Further, we are truly blessed when we obey. We are the ultimate losers if we don’t as we miss out on the sweet fellowship and communion with our Father on our trek from earth to heaven.
This was why King David prayed so fervently for his son Solomon. If anybody, David enjoyed sweet communion with the Father. And if he didn’t feel it he banged on the doors. He was God’s downstairs’ neighbor who desired constant communion. Yet when we wallow in sin we choose to break that fellowship with Him. What has light to do with darkness? Only those who willingly seek and keep God’s ways enjoy sweet communion with the Master. And He will manifest Himself in very intimate and gracious ways. When we sincerely seek to love and obey Him fully, we will also enjoy His gracious forgiveness when we fail - as we most certainly all will. Perfection only comes when we are home with the Lord.
If we hate our sin, seek for cleansing forgiveness and strive with sincerity and righteousness following hard after Jesus, this honors both God and the Gospel He gave us. Desire God’s Truth to be impressed upon our hearts and lived out in our lives.
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:23-24 (NIV)