Half-hearted. Unsure. Doubtful. Apathetic. Lukewarm.
If you saw those words on someone’s resume, would you give a double thumbs up, saying, “YES! That’s exactly the profile for people I want on my team”?
No! And similarly, God is looking for people who are “all in.” For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His (2 Chronicles 16:9). Yet many people more closely align with the unflattering adjectives listed above. We read of doubting Thomas and other disciples whom Jesus challenged, asking, “Where is your faith?” (John 20:25-27, Matthew 14:31, Luke 8:25). When we pray, God wants us to ask, believing we receive, without doubting (Mark 11:24, James 1:6-8). In Revelation, God reveals distaste for those who are neither “in” nor “out,” neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm (Revelation 3:16).
Yet consider these we read of in God’s Word:
He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith . . . being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. (Abraham)
God is for me . . . my rock and my fortress, I will not be shaken. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me . . . I shall be confident. (King David)
How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him… (Elijah)
For I am persuaded that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus… (Paul)
“Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (The Centurion)
“If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” (The woman healed from hemorrhage)
But how do we get from the place of wavering, of unbelief, of being half-hearted, to being fully engaged with God? David gives us a clue: I have set the LORD continually before me. (Psalm 16:8). Isaiah encourages us to keep our eyes fixed on God, trusting in Him (Isaiah 26:3). Jesus reiterated the same idea when He told worried, busy, and upset Martha that only one thing was necessary—focusing on Him (Luke 10:41-42). When we put our cares and distractions aside to spend time with God, we will trust and believe Him more easily.
So, get to know God! He is good, and only does good (Psalm 119:68). He is light; in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy; but Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). If we believe God brings harm or gives tacit approval to negative events, we will not draw close to Him or trust Him. We must distinguish between God’s work, the devil’s, and our own self will. If we attribute the devil’s activity or the consequences of any human’s poor decisions to God, we will not trust or believe Him.
Instead, we can live fully persuaded and know His true nature by spending time with Him and in His Word, acknowledging Him in all our ways (Proverbs 3:5-6), and expressing gratitude for His love and constant goodness in our lives.
