“But Not With Loyal Heart”

Family – July/August 2022 – Grace & Truth Magazine

“But Not With A Loyal Heart”

There are many pertinent events recorded in Kings and Chronicles. Some sentences touch our hearts and cause us to think. This is the case with Amaziah, a relatively unknown king.

Joash ascended to the throne at the age of seven years and remained faithful to the Lord as long as the priest Jehoiada was alive. After Joash, his son Amaziah became king. When he died, his son Uzziah ruled, but he was punished with leprosy after he assumed that because he was the king he also had the right to act as a priest. In brief, three kings succeeded one another – grandfather, father and son – serving God but not following the LORD in everything all their lives.

We read of Amaziah: “He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a loyal heart” (2 Chr. 25:2 NKJV). Perhaps Amaziah learned this foolish thinking from his father, that half a life lived for the Lord was enough. This is very probable, because seed that is scattered in the early years certainly comes to germinate in the hearts of children and young people. This is definitely an important lesson for us as parents. Let us not forget: “whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Let us sow what is good in the hearts of our young people:

• Love for the Lord and His Word, the seed of healthy doctrine.
• A practical dedication to the Lord, separated from everything that does not honor Him.

The writer of Proverbs said, “My son, give me your heart.” We can easily hear God telling us that as well, and He adds, “And let your eyes observe My ways” (23:26). The Lord Jesus encouraged us by confirming a right answer given to Him – “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’” (Lk. 10:27). “Heart,” “soul” and “strength” were already written in the Old Testament (Dt. 6:5). But the lawyer, who was by nature greatly impressed with his own wisdom, insight and logic, when giving this answer had added “and with all your mind.” Heart, soul, strength and mind are given by God, and we should use them to His honor. Let us do so wholeheartedly – not half-heartedly, as if some for Him and some for ourselves.

How about us, about me? Do I have my whole heart dedicated to the Lord? Is my soul, with all my feelings, pleasing to Him and dedicated to Him, or do I allow myself to be swept along by my own carnal, or fleshly, emotions? What do I spend all my strength on? Do I bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5)? Do I allow my thoughts to be determined by our rational human logic, or do I subject them to God’s Word? Do I submit to God’s will, and is it a joy for me to walk in His ways?

Out of the abundance of our hearts, our mouths naturally speak. Do we radiate the love, grace, justice and holiness of Christ? Are our hearts so filled with Him that we readily speak about Him to fellow believers as well as to those who are still lost for eternity? The apostle Paul was able to say, “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me” (Rom. 15:18). Let us, too, test ourselves more and not self-confidently speak of things that have not been accomplished by Him, that do not glorify Him. To do so causes damage instead of building up one another (14:19).

May the Lord give you and me grace to follow our beloved Lord Jesus and do His will with a heart that is completely dedicated to Him. What a joy this will be for Him!

By Erwin Luimes

My Christian life had been a series of ups and downs. Then I met two Christians who demonstrated a constant spiritual peace, strength and joy that I was lacking. They had yielded completely to God. Talking to them changed my life. I really struggled. There were things in my heart and life that were questionable, if not worse, and I was not willing to give them up. But finally I came to the point of confessing, “Lord, I am willing to be made willing. Make the most that can be made of me for Your glory.” This experience taught me some elements of a fuller Christian life: surrender yourself to God, count on Christ to do His part, confess sins instantly, take temptations and cares to Christ, keep in touch with Christ. Trust Him and seek to live according to His Word. —Selected from our tract,“A Fuller Christian Life,”by F. B. Meyer.