Undivided

Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”

What is it that causes division among people?

Differences of opinion, bitterness from a past hurt, a lack of an appropriate response, or a political stance—there are so many reasons people use to isolate from one another the list seems endless.

Unity on the other hand serves to bring like minded people together under what is deemed a noble cause. For the church, Jesus is the center of all that unites and God’s people have reason to rejoice.

Within each individual lies a choice—to either trust and believe or reject the path that God has ordained.

David’s prayer for an undivided heart reflected the culture that he lived in, an idolatrous culture that attempted to elevate other god’s before the people.

Psalm 86:8-9 “There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like yours.
All the nations you have made shall come
and worship before you, O Lord,
and shall glorify your name.”

An undivided heart is one that has not compromised the faith required to follow Jesus.

There are many false religions today and many paths that lead away from Christ. The Universalist claims that all roads lead to God, but the Word of God says just the opposite.

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Christianity is an exclusive membership. There are many who claim to be apart of the throng of the righteous and yet their lives say otherwise. There are those who claim their religion to be true, and yet every man who began those religions has died without proof.

Jesus alone has proven His power, authority, and redeeming grace by which sinners might be saved.

If we consider all that divides our hearts, we might grow wiser in what it means to walk in righteousness.

The Cultural Divide

Within every culture in every era of humanity lies the devious design of rebellion. In David’s era there existed a myriad of idols and belief systems that had prosperity as a promise, and the promise of power at their core. Some belief systems catered to lust, while others were designed to worship the creation rather than the Creator. The idolaters central focus was the exaltation of man as ruler over creation and controller of all that brought prosperity and power.

Today, American culture elevates many of the same types of ambitions. Culturally, people have found a myriad of ways to exalt every element of life, from money and power, to sports and the body, food, entertainment, and even knowledge is exalted as preeminent over the worship of Jesus. Scholars have found every excuse to counter the claims of Christ, regardless of their legitimacy, the world only attempts to leave doubt with their hearers, so that they can justify their lifestyles.

What is the believer suppose to do? How can a follower of Christ keep themselves unstained from this world and undivided in their focus?

James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

The exhortation is simple…be a doer of the Word. But what does God’s Word require?

Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

United by the Spirit

Consider the words of the prophet for they tell of a greater road that only the faithful are known to follow…

Justice: The justice of God is found in the halls of His throne room. The judgement seat is built upon the foundation of the law and the law does not waver in it’s indictment. The path of the righteous recognizes the holiness of God’s law and strives to obey. Perfection may escape the one who wrestles with a sinful nature but grace overshadows the frailty of mankind.

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Walking in Christ means to follow His works. A believer cannot know God’s way unless he is actively listening and responding. The justice of God will be against every false excuse and idle word, those claiming allegiance but walking in rebellion.

The condemnation of the law has been satisfied by the cross. Jesus died that people may live. For those who have accepted His sacrifice, there no longer is the judgement of sin.

Mercy: The love of God has been poured out into the hearts of all believers. The love shown to the redeemed was first modeled by Christ. When the love of God is exhibited in the life of a Christian it manifests toward others through good works. Mercy is a demonstration of forgiveness and it was forgiveness that brought sinners into a relationship with God. The hearts of the merciful share the gospel with those who spit upon them, show hatred toward them, and at times murder them. The mark of a true believer is a demonstration of God’s love in practice.

1 Corinthians 13:13 “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

The followers of the King of kings resembles Jesus in the way they live their lives.

Humility: The pride of man is exalted against the glory of God’s name. For those who think they can stand against an exalted Lord and King, they will soon discover their fleeting position. As the Lord breathed life into man so He can equally remove that life in an instant.

Nahum 1:6 “Who can stand before his indignation?
Who can endure the heat of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.”

For those who choose the path of humility, they have chosen to forsake their pride and have instead followed the call of the Father—The call to come and believe, to step forward in trust, and have learned to obey the voice of the Lord. For those who have received mercy, they have learned to walk justly and it is counted as righteousness before them.

Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.”

The righteousness by which God judges all sinners becomes the source of strength and security for those who place their trust in Christ.

Undivided in Devotion

For Spirit filled believers, they need not worry themselves about the terrible wrath of God–they have been redeemed from death and have been given new life.

The process of sanctification is a Spirit led process that directs the life of a Christian into becoming more like Christ. Listening to the Spirit is to respond to the holiness of God by living holy lives.

The wise take regular inventory of their lives and continually expose their guilt and compromises before the Lord. What they find is mercy and love that restores and heals.

1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—”

Every new believer has growing to do. Consequently, every mature believer seeks growth because they have experienced it’s benefits. Walking in Christ brings peace, security, strength, confidence, and an unwavering knowledge of God’s love. Mature believers have witnessed the love of God so many times, their faith has grown beyond their circumstances.

The divided believer is the one who continually wrestles with sin. Never maturing, never seeing the fruit of God’s Spirit working through them, never feeling secure in their faith, they wonder why others are living victoriously while they sit on the sidelines watching God’s power displayed among His people.

What is it that divides?

Allowing the practices of this world to keep a foothold in their house of faith.

The path of the righteous know the fellowship of the Spirit because they walk according to the law of the Lord. The believer walks in obedience.

Are you united with Christ or are you divided in your belief?

For those who remain divided, it’s possible they have never really trusted in the Lord.

Revelation 3:15-17 “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

Consider your ways, be honest in your assessment and allow the Spirit of God to bring conviction for sin. For all who choose the Spirit of truth, the path to restoration will eventually lead to a unity with the body of Christ in glory.

There is great reward that awaits those who are found faithful.