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Tag: Health

Wholehearted

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

What does the Bible say about being wholehearted?

In our busy and fast-paced world, it can be tough to stay focused and committed to God. However, the Bible abounds with wisdom about the immense value of wholeheartedness in our relationship with God and others.

Wholeheartedness involves showing complete sincerity and commitment, which is expressed in the Shema: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might’” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5, ESV). In this passage, the Hebrew term for “heart” signifies the totality of our being—thoughts, will, and emotions (cf. Proverbs 4:23). The idea is that we must surrender everything in wholehearted devotion to God, leaving no room for unfaithfulness or unwavering commitment.

The book of Psalms offers an array of poetic expressions that beautifully portray the essence of wholehearted devotion. For example, in Psalm 119:10–11, the psalmist passionately declares, “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (ESV). Let us follow the psalmist’s example of pursuing God with our whole heart and internalizing His Word, resulting in personal holiness and righteousness.

The New Testament seamlessly weaves the threads of wholehearted devotion, highlighted by Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37–40. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (ESV; cf. Luke 10:27).

The first commandment is to love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. In doing so, we demonstrate to ourselves and the world that He is the most important person in our lives.

The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. The word neighbor includes everyone, not just our friends and family. Believers are called to love everyone because everyone is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Thus, we should love others wholeheartedly.

The apostle Paul frequently employs athletic metaphors to convey spiritual truths, particularly when discussing the pursuit of wholehearted gospel living. For example, in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, he uses the metaphor of a race to encourage believers to approach their faith with total determination:

Do not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (ESV).

This passage embodies the tension between the “already” and “not yet” of wholehearted living. Paul acknowledges the reality of human frailty and our ongoing struggle with sin while holding out the hope of transformation through Christ’s redemptive work. This tension drives us to continually press forward in the pursuit of wholeheartedness (cf. Philippians 3:12–21).

Wholeheartedness is an attainable goal, and the Bible calls us to sincere and authentic commitment to God and others. May we never forget the following words: “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (Psalm 86:11).

Tough love

Written by LWOM Amsterdam on . Posted in What’s new?.

What does the Bible say about tough love?

“Tough love” is an expression that is generally thought of as a disciplinary measure where someone is treated rather sternly with the intention of helping him or her in the long run. Tough love may be the refusal to give assistance to a friend asking for help when to do so would simply allow him to continue along a dangerous path. However, with tough love in a biblical sense, the chastening hand is always controlled by a loving heart. As the wise King Solomon said, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him” (Proverbs 13:24). The Bible has much to say about tough love, particularly in Proverbs and Hebrews.

To fully understand the importance of why tough love is sometimes necessary, we first need to understand the magnitude of the spiritual fight that is a significant part of the Christian life. Satan and his host of demons will make every attempt to knock us off the path of our spiritual journey, continually tempting Christians to give in to their sinful nature (1 Peter 5:8). As Christ told us, “Broad is the road that leads to destruction” and many will be on it (Matthew 7:13). A strong dose of tough love may be the most appropriate recourse to help one get off the road of destruction, especially if he’s been on it for a while.

Unfortunately, however, many people, parents in particular, often equivocate when it comes to meting out tough love. Granted, firm disciplinary measures can be as unpleasant to the parent as they are to the child; that’s why it takes wisdom and courage. However, when we continually shield loved ones from the consequences of their errors, we often deprive them of the opportunity for the growth and maturity that could possibly eradicate their problematic behavior altogether. Additionally, we eliminate any incentive someone might have for change when we hesitate to save them from themselves. As the writer of Hebrews aptly informs us, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

In Hebrews we see whom God disciplines: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son” (Hebrews 12:5–6, emphasis added). We are to endure hardship as discipline, for God is treating us as sons (verse 7). If we are not disciplined, then we are not His “true sons” (verse 8). Additionally, the one receiving the discipline needs to see the sin that caused the correction the way God sees the sin. Our holy God is offended by sin and cannot tolerate it (Habakkuk 1:13).

Tough love is often necessary because, as fallen humans, we have a tendency not to respond to gentle taps on the shoulder. Our heavenly Father will do whatever is necessary to conform His children into the likeness of Christ, as He predestined us for this very reason (Romans 8:28–30). Indeed, this is what His discipline is all about. And the better we understand His Word, the easier it will be for us to accept this. God will administer whatever amount of tough love is necessary so that our behavior will line up with our identity in Christ. Likewise, this should be a parent’s motive when correcting the behavior of a wayward child.