When we read of the very first church made of up Jewish Believer’s in Jerusalem, we read theirs was a singleness of heart. They, continuing daily with one accord in the temple. Breaking bread from house to house, (they) did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. Praising God. Having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:46-47). The earliest church banded together daily to study the gospel message. Ravenous to know the truth, they abandoned all else to grow in the gospel message. Theirs was a singleness of heart. All they truly cared for was learning more of God’s truth and praising Him. To build an army of spiritual warriors to lead the charge in teaching and preaching the gospel to other Jews and to the Gentile, this was necessary.
Imagine if their devotion was as frivolous as ours is most of the time! Our singleness of heart all too often remains our own comfort or selfish desires of self-fulfillment. Yet, this beginning church was given over completely to worship so that the gospel might spread. Perhaps it was a different era. Afterall, this was needed for the initial spread of the gospel. We must be about the affairs of life as well in this day. That is, most of us. There are those called to greater service of sacrifice who give up all that they have in order to go as missionaries to the ends of the worlds. Yet, for us who are left with the affairs of life, work, family; what are we to do. Shouldn’t there also be for us a singleness of heart? If so, why and how?
Why is a Singleness of Heart Needed?
Perhaps it is best said as did Jonathan Edwards. In the Collection of Works by Jonathan Edwards, Part III, page 391 we read.
When a people are engaged in war with a powerful and crafty nation, it concerns them to manage an affair of such consequence with the utmost discretion. Of what vast importance then must it be, that we should be vigilant and prudent in the management of this great war with so great a host of subtle and cruel enemies. We must either conquer or be conquered; and the consequence of the victory, on one side, will be our eternal destruction in both soul and body in hell, and on the other side, our obtaining the kingdom of heaven, and reigning in it in eternal glory! We had need always to stand on our watch, and to be well versed in the art of war, and not be ignorant of the devices of our enemies, and to take heed lest by any means we be beguiled through their subtlety.
Though the devil be strong, yet, in such a war as this, he depends more on his craft than his strength. The course he has chiefly taken, from time to time, to clog, hinder, and overthrow revivals of religion in the church of God, has been by his subtle, deceitful management, to beguile and mislead those that have been engaged therein; and in such a course God has been pleased, in his holy and sovereign providence, to suffer him to succeed, oftentimes, in a great measure, to overthrow that which in its beginning appeared most hopeful and glorious.[1]
How Do We Have Singleness of Heart?
Singleness of heart comes from determining each day who is Lord of your life. Is it truly Christ? Or are you merely concerned with what He can do for you? Are you willing to suffer the loss of EVERYTHING else that you might know Him? Do you praise Him because He is so glorious worthy of your praise even when all else seems to be torn from you? Do you trust Him, when the storms of this world toss you about? Is your heart filled with overflowing joy regardless of the circumstances, just to know Him?
Faith is knowing God is Sovereign Lord and Ruler of this Universe. Only He knows what is best for you. He desires to fill you with His joy. The Joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). When He is your joy, nothing else matters.
However, if we truly love Him and know that He is our Joy, we will seek to know Him more. Going to church is not a tradition done only out of obligation, but rather, a desire to know Him better. We read His word daily. Not out of duty, but out of love. We long to run to Him in our prayers, seeking to truly feel His Holy Presence. Realizing the magnitude of grace He has given us, we seek Him.
Concluding Prayer:
Lord help me to seek you more each day. Draw me closer to you. Then shine forth through me to a world in need of you. As Jonathan Edwards wrote of the early church, lead a revival within our world today. Give my heart a burden for all the lost souls. Do not let me grow cold or callus.
The glorious success of the gospel among the Jews after Christ’s ascension, began by the pouring out of the Spirit upon the day of Pentecost. (Acts ii.) So wonderful was this effusion, and so remarkable and swift the effect of it, that we read of three thousand who were converted to the Christian faith in one day, Acts ii. 41. and probably the greater part of these were savingly converted. And after this, we read of God’s adding to the church daily such as should be saved, (ver. 47.) Soon after, we read, that the number of them were about five thousand. Thus were not only a multitude converted, but the church was then eminent in piety. Jonathan Edward.
Give me true singleness of heart. Bring forth a wonderful effusion of the Holy Spirit swiftly. Keep my eyes focused on You, awaiting the return of Jesus Christ. Yet, while I wait, transform my heart. Let it bleed for those who are lost and dying without you. Fill me with your joy, hope, love and desire for their salvation, regardless of what they have done. Amen.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Previous Posts in This Study of ACTS
The Remarkable Communication of the Holy Spirit in Revival
Is Being Filled with the Spirit a Different Experience?
What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
How to Wait with Cautious Discernment
How to Hold Fast to the True Gospel Message
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
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[1] http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/works1.ix.iv.html?scrBook=Acts&scrCh=2&scrV=46#ix.iv-p15.1