There should be no questions on whether or not to follow God fully this New Year, because following Christ half-heartedly has painful consequences. “Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from 20 years old upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me.” God prepared the Promised Land filled with milk and honey for the descendants of Abraham, but they were prevented from entering in because they did not wholly follow the Lord.
God picked and installed Saul as the first King of Israel. But he did not follow the Lord wholeheartedly. As a result of this, “the Lord … also rejected (him) from being king.” There are people who believe in healing, moving mountains, casting out devils, abundance and prosperity, but are not ready to deny themselves, bear the cross and live a righteous life. Take Solomon, the King of Israel, for instance. Although he was a wise and privileged king, his wives turned his heart away from following the Lord. As a result, God “(Rent) the Kingdom from (him), and (gave) it to (his) servant … And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon.” This shows that God does not have any favourite and is no respecter of persons. He exalts His words above His name.
Those who forsook the way of the Lord by casting off their consecration, commitment and all the decisions they made to follow Him, give room for enemies to pursue them. Unlike the children of Israel who were “overthrown in the wilderness,” God wants us to make up our minds individually to follow Him with all our heart, soul and might. The multitudes that followed Christ did that not because they were concerned about the word of eternal life, “but because (they) did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” When He revealed to them the word of the Kingdom, they all went back, except the 12 disciples.
Sadly, many preachers and churchgoers lack conviction. Thus, they adjust the word to please the people. Like Christ, preachers of the gospel must say what they mean and mean what they say, as well as stand by what they teach whether people turn their backs on “the words of eternal life” or not!
The Lord makes a perpetual covenant with those who are ready to lay their might, soul and everything that is dear to them wholeheartedly on the altar, without reservations. Abraham had followed the Lord for 24 years. Still, the Lord called him “and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” The Lord wanted him to lay his all on the altar and follow Him wholeheartedly. For doing this, God promised to “multiply (him) exceedingly (and make him) a father of many nations.” Similarly, God wants to renew His covenant with us, but on the basis that we follow Him wholeheartedly. He wants us to bring back our consecration, commitment and absolute surrender, and lay them on the altar.
God promises to lavish His blessings upon those who are willing to “obey (His) voice indeed, and keep (His) covenant,” and follow Him thoroughly. He says, they “shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.” Therefore, our language should be “I am thine, and all that I have.” We must release everything we have because of Christ’s sacrifice for us at Calvary. Just as He gave His precious life for us, we also must give our lives, substance, time and talents, and vow to follow Him wholeheartedly. Christ said: “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
• Further Reading (King James Version): Numbers 14:24; 13:26-30; Joshua 14:7-14. Numbers 32:11; 1 Samuel 15:11,22,23; 1 Kings 9:1,2,6,7; 11:1,2,4,9-11,14; Hosea 8:3; 10:2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12; John 6:2,15,24-27,60,66-70. Genesis 17:1-4; Exodus 19:5; 2 Samuel 15:15; 1 Kings 20:3,4; John 12:24-26.
