O For A Closer Walk With God

True repentance is followed by a closer walk and singular allegiance to God.   ~~~   Jesus says in Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword.” What is going on here? What does Jesus mean when He says that he did not come to bring peace but a sword? This is said in the context of “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves,” and also, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Jesus is saying that He did not come to be another addition to your charm bracelet, or to take up a little space in your already filled up life, or to make your life here on earth nice and comfy and to be at peace with all the other idols you have, and to be nice and get along with everyone, no matter what that takes. NO! He brought a sword for dividing and warring and cutting away all things that vie for the throne of your life because it is a one-seated throne upon which only HE belongs. William Cowper wrote in the hymn “O For A Closer Walk With God” this lyric: The dearest idol I have known Whatever that idol be, Help me to tear it from THY throne, And worship only THEE. Jesus will not entertain rivals in your life. You cannot cry out to God, asking Him to rescue you while holding on to your idols, and expect anything to happen. This is like begging your wife to take you back into the home all the while holding hands with a different woman. Or asking the doctor to remove the cancer, but leave just a little bit of it. So Samuel proclaims, “If this return to the LORD is truly of the LORD, then you will put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you.” Samuel makes it clear to God’s people that biblical repentance is a tangible repentance. In other words, tears and sorrow over sin is not the full extent of biblical repentance. It is to be met with the exclusive allegiance demanded by God Himself. Repentance is a holistic endeavor (returning with all your heart), physical (put away), mental (direct your heart), serve him only (exclusive). And we are called to it day by day.