Half-Hearted

For years I have been memorizing scripture to keep it with me wherever I go, even when I don't have a copy of God's Word. In this memorization, I sometimes leave out the most important part of a verse, and this is usually because I copied some "scholars" read on the verses themselves. Quite a few years ago, I quit doing that, and in my life pilgrimage, I began to study deeper so I could get my read on those same scriptures. One scripture I have made a commitment to fully read and understand is the scripture in Hebrews 11:6, where it says in Hebrews 11:⁶ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

What usually happens when someone preaches or teaches the above verse is that only the first part is used, which is a good truth, but a half-hearted attempt to follow the full verse. Without the rest of the verse, the full truth is missed. I have seen that done with many scriptures, and I want to follow the "full" Word of God, not just what I pick out and accept as truth. It seems like so many people just want to use a part of a verse to make a point for how they believe, and then leave the rest of the verse off. Big mistake!!

The second part of the above verse is where the rubber meets the road, or the actual application of the faith it is speaking to. Here it is again: Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Ok, here is where one denomination will try to nix another denomination by saying, "Oh, that's just that prosperity gospel speaking," so we take the full heart of the verse to make our point. I vehemently disagree with this "throtling" of scripture and pray we will just go ahead and let the full Bible be seen. God is the "God of the impossible," and our attempt to explain Him many times thwarts what His intent is, and that to me is blasphemy. What may seem impossible to me cannot leave out a part of scripture to make my point, any more than adding to scripture. Just let it breathe, and accept what the Word of God says, and don't try to "dumb down" any part of the Bible.

I have heard many a preacher give their own opinion about certain things and thus water down the truth of the Bible, because they have trouble believing it. Don't run the Word of God through your waffling filter and expect any power to come from it. The Word of God is true. ALL OF IT. Nuf said. The very verse I am speaking on today is a great example of why we should never limit God because of half-hearted faith. We will never please God by limiting His power and His love, and His grace! Don't do it! We don't believe in a half-hearted, limited God. He created the universe, so I believe He can actually do anything if He wants, and my faith should follow that same vein of thinking.

I know it might be difficult to get beyond the half-hearted teaching of some, but God's Word can be trusted. ALL OF IT. Study it for yourself, and you will see that it is perfect and very applicable for every life situation. We just need to believe it fully. Start today and see what God will show you about more faith steps in the future. Please God by fully believing His Word without excuses.

Today's Message,

David Warren