One holy passion

June 14, 2007

By Jerry Scott

A Sunday edition of The (Easton, Pa.) Express-Times had an article about multitasking — the way many of us function in life. We talk on our cell phone while driving our car, while we listen to the radio. In the office we are reading e-mail, while talking on the phone, while working on a memo, while getting budget figures together.

I read the article with interest, since that is how I conduct my life most of the time. The author reported that studies reveal multitasking does not necessarily make a person more productive. It just appears that way. Each time a person changes focus, he loses efficiency and effectiveness. Trying to do two things at the same time is, according to the author, “a road to mediocrity.”

Besides our divided focus and attention, many of us live with hearts that are divided by many loves. I’m not talking about romantic attachments to people other than our spouse. I’m talking about what gets us going in life, the attitudes and attachments that form the core of our identity. Is your focus on God? Is your love for Him the hub from which all other aspects of your life radiate? Is God the governing influence of who you are and what you do?

A man once came to Jesus to inquire about eternal life. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18, NIV). Jesus asked him whether he was obedient to the commandments. The man claimed he was scrupulous in his morality. From Jesus’ answer, which did not challenge the honesty of that reply, I conclude the man was telling the truth. Then Jesus threw him a big challenge: “If you want to be perfect [complete and spiritually whole], go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21).

The one thing the man could not claim was a singular love for God. He loved his stuff and Jesus knew it. So, Jesus told him to get rid of it and learn to love God with his whole heart. The tragic end of that story is that the young man “went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Matthew 19:22).

Let’s not miss the point of the story. This is not a demand for universal poverty. It is about the importance of a heart that is undivided. It is not just money that captivates our hearts. We can be in love with reputation, with pleasure, with our family, with status, with sports, with financial security, with physical fitness, with intellect; the list is long and varied. Jesus’ challenge to that man is rephrased for each one of us in this commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).

Some of you are wondering, perhaps even raising the objection, “But my heart goes its own way. I cannot control my feelings.” That is wrong on two counts.

First, love is not a feeling; it is a choice. Attractions come and go. Desires to own things and people arise in us uninvited. That is not love! That is just desire or infatuation.

Second, you are in control of your heart. If you have trusted Christ as your Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit lives in you giving you strength to govern the impulses of your heart. The Word would not command you to do what is impossible. We read this directive: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). If we want to consistently please God, the place to begin is at the core — in our hearts — seeking one holy passion.

Here’s a word from the Word in which God promises a renewal. Read it with faith! “They will return to it [Israel] and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God” (Ezekiel 11:18-20).

An undivided heart — that’s what pleases God and what makes us truly effective in His service.

Jerry D. Scott is senior pastor of Washington (N.J.) Assembly of God.