God desires for us to return to Him with our whole heart. This phrase comes from Jeremiah 24:7 which says, “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with their whole heart.” To understand what it means to return to God with our whole heart, we must first understand the context of this verse.
Jeremiah was a prophet during a tumultuous time in Israel’s history. The people had turned away from God and were worshipping idols. As a result, God allowed the Babylonians to conquer Jerusalem and take many of the people into exile. This was a judgment for their unfaithfulness. While in exile, the people still refused to wholeheartedly return to God. Jeremiah 24 contains a vision of two baskets of figs. One basket contained good figs representing those who were exiled but remained faithful to God. The other basket contained rotten figs representing those still in Jerusalem who were unfaithful. God promised to watch over the good figs in exile and ultimately return them to the land. The verse about returning with their whole heart is addressed to these good figs – those who remained faithful even in exile.
To return to God with our whole heart means devoting every area of our life completely to Him. Our heart represents the core of our being – our mind, will, and emotions. Here are some key elements involved in returning to God with a whole heart:
1. Repentance – This means sincerely turning away from sin and renouncing any idols in our hearts. We must ask God to reveal any areas of unbelief, compromise, or disobedience (Psalm 139:23-24). Genuine repentance involves godly sorrow and a commitment to pursue holiness (2 Corinthians 7:10).
2. Lordship – If we are holding anything back from God, then He does not have complete lordship over our lives. We must surrender all to His control – our time, resources, relationships, desires, and aspirations (Romans 12:1-2). Jesus said we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). God wants to be first in every area.
3. Obedience – Returning to God means obeying His commands with eagerness and diligence. We must study His word to know His will and walk in His ways (John 14:21). Paying lip service is not enough. True love leads to obedience.
4. Devotion – Wholehearted returning involves loving God with sincerity and fervor. He wants us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). Halfhearted devotion is not acceptable. God desires us to cultivate a strong love for Him above all else.
5. Trust – Since God knows what is best, we must trust His plans and purposes even when we face trials and uncertainty. Returning wholeheartedly means resting in His goodness and relying on His promises (Proverbs 3:5-6). He is faithful and wise. As we walk closely with Him, our confidence in His love and care will grow.
6. Community – Our relationship with God should be evident through the way we love and serve others. We must demonstrate His grace and truth to those around us (John 13:35). Wholehearted returning involves commitment to a community of believers. We need encouragement and accountability from each other.
7. Perseverance – Genuine repentance endures. We must continue pursuing God daily, not just have a temporary emotional experience. Our passion and devotion to Him should grow throughout our life. We must finish the race with endurance (Galatians 6:9).
In summary, returning to God with our whole heart involves leaving sin behind, pursuing intimacy with Him, trusting Him completely, obeying His Word, loving others, and following Him faithfully for the rest of our lives. It impacts every area – our mind, will, emotions, time, resources, relationships, and priorities. Examining our lives and allowing God to search our hearts is crucial. Repentance and obedience are necessary proof of wholehearted returning. When our hearts are fully devoted to God, we will experience the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10). The Lord promises to satisfy the soul of those who earnestly seek Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
The Need for Returning with Our Whole Heart
God created us to know and worship Him. Sin separates us from intimate relationship with God. He wants us to return because we were created for fellowship with Him. Here are some key reasons we must return wholeheartedly:
1. God’s glory – As our Creator, God deserves our full devotion. Everything exists to give Him glory (Isaiah 43:7; Romans 11:36). If we are holding anything back from Him, we are robbing Him of glory.
2. God’s worthiness – No one and nothing else is worthy of our complete allegiance. God’s majestic holiness, goodness, love and sovereignty mean He alone merits our wholehearted affection and service (1 Chronicles 16:25; Revelation 4:11).
3. God’s faithfulness – Despite our repeated failures, God remains faithful and steadfast (2 Timothy 2:13). His unconditional love and mercy should compel us to return sincerely and completely. He has never given up on us.
4. Our purpose – We were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Until we return wholeheartedly, we will not experience lasting joy and satisfaction. Our hearts are restless until they find their ultimate purpose in God (Psalm 73:25-26; Augustine).
5. Our blessing – God withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity before Him (Psalm 84:11). When we devote our lives fully to God, we are blessed with the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).
6. Our witness – As followers of Christ, our lives should point people to God and make His glory and worth known. Returning wholeheartedly gives credibility to our witness (Matthew 5:16).
God is worthy of far more than a halfhearted or divided heart. Our eternal destiny depends on wholehearted devotion. Jesus said the first and greatest command is loving God with all we are (Mark 12:30). When we return to God with our whole heart, we will experience the joy of intimate relationship with Him.
Hindrances to Wholehearted Returning
Although God offers abundant life to those who return wholeheartedly, we often struggle to devote ourselves fully. What holds us back? Here are some key hindrances:
1. Idols – Anything we love or pursue more than God essentially becomes a counterfeit god in our lives. Career, relationships, wealth, comfort – these can all be idols if they capture our devotion (Ezekiel 14:3; 1 John 2:15-17).
2. Unbelief – If we do not trust God’s power, goodness, love or faithfulness, we will not rely on Him fully. Doubting His promises hinders wholehearted returning (Matthew 14:31; Romans 4:20-21).
3. Worldly values – The lure of popularity, prestige, pleasure and culture can slowly draw our affections away from God. We must resist conformity to worldly values (Romans 12:2; James 4:4).
4. Unrepentant sin – Living in open rebellion and refusing to renounce known sin blocks intimate fellowship with God. We cannotcling to wickedness and expect to walk closely with the Lord (Isaiah 59:1-2; 1 John 1:6).
5. Pride – Self-sufficiency, egocentrism and a stubborn independent spirit often prevent us from surrendering fully to God’s lordship. We must humble ourselves before God (James 4:6).
6. Distractions – When we get absorbed in lesser things and cram our schedules with the trivial, our affections for God weaken. We must ruthlessly eliminate distractions (Luke 10:38-42).
7. Covetousness – Craving material things can easily become paramount. The pursuit of wealth and abundance can eclipse our pursuit of God (Matthew 6:24; Luke 12:15).
8. Unforgiveness – If we harbor bitterness and grudges, our relationship with God suffers. We cannot return wholeheartedly while clinging to unforgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15).
9. Self-reliance – Our culture promotes independence and self-determination. But trusting in ourselves rather than God prevents wholehearted reliance on Him (Proverbs 3:5-8).
In order to return to God with our whole heart, we must identify and turn from anything that competes for our ultimate loyalty and affection. God wants to break the power of counterfeit gods and idols so we can devote ourselves fully to Him.
Examples of Wholehearted Returning in the Bible
Though imperfect, many biblical figures exemplify what it means to return to God with a whole heart. Their examples encourage us to pursue the same sincere devotion:
King David – Though he committed grievous sin, David repeatedly returned to God with repentance and raw honesty. His life reflected wholehearted reliance on and affection for God (Psalm 51; Acts 13:22).
Jacob – This deceiver experienced radical heart transformation after wrestling with God. Afterwards, God changed his name to Israel, which means “one who strives with God.” His life was marked by tenacious faith. (Genesis 32).
Zacchaeus – The greedy tax collector demonstrated dramatic change when he encountered Jesus. Zacchaeus publicly repented, paid restitution and devoted his life to obeying and honoring God (Luke 19:1-10).
Mary – When Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary, Mary sat at his feet listening wholeheartedly despite pressure to fulfill other duties. She chose intimacy with God above all else (Luke 10:38-42).
Paul – Originally a persecutor of Christians, Paul experienced a radical encounter with Jesus that transformed him into a devoted disciple who sacrificed everything to selflessly serve God (Acts 9:1-22; Philippians 3:7-11).
Peter – Though he infamously denied knowing Jesus, Peter repented and answered Jesus’ reinstatement three times, affirming his devotion. He became a courageous witness (John 21:15-19; Acts 2:14-41).
Ruth – This Moabite widow demonstrated extraordinary faithfulness and commitment to her Israelite mother-in-law Naomi and to God. Her sincerity earned her a place of honor (Ruth 1-4).
While most of us won’t experience such dramatic conversion like some of these examples, they demonstrate what wholehearted devotion looks like. God is pleased when we follow Him with sincerity and passion.
Blessings of Wholehearted Returning
When we return to God completely and accept His lordship in every area, we will experience profound blessings, including:
– Intimacy with God (Jeremiah 29:13; James 4:8)
– Victory over sin (Romans 6:14, 22)
– Guidance from the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 3:5-6)
– Renewed purpose (Ephesians 2:10; Romans 12:1-2)
– Joy unspeakable (Psalm 16:11; 1 Peter 1:8)
– Answered prayer (Psalm 37:4; 1 John 3:22)
– Unshakable hope (Isaiah 26:3-4)
– Contentment in trials (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
– Freedom from fear and anxiety (Proverbs 1:33; Isaiah 41:10)
– Assurance of salvation (1 John 5:11-13)
– Bearing spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)
– Storing up eternal rewards (Matthew 6:19-21; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
We miss out on so many blessings when we withhold part of ourselves from God. The abundant Christian life depends on offering ourselves to God completely in response to His extravagant love and mercy. We find purpose, satisfaction and delight when we pursue intimacy with God above all else.
How to Return to God Wholeheartedly
Here are some practical ways we can devote ourselves fully to God:
1. Confess and renounce all known sin through prayer, fasting, or counseling. Refuse to justify or downplay sin (1 John 1:9).
2. Ask God to reveal any areas you are holding back from Him or trusting in other things. Be willing to eliminate anything hindering your devotion.
3. Study God’s names and attributes so your affection, reverence and love for Him grow. Focus on His supreme worth.
4. Immerse yourself in God’s Word. Meditate on His precepts and commands. Seek to promptly obey.
5. Learn to practice God’s presence. Talk to and worship Him throughout each day. Develop continual consciousness of Him.
6. Make time to be alone with God regularly without distractions. Unhurried prayer and Bible study are essential disciplines.
7. Attend a Bible-believing church committed to sound doctrine and spiritual growth. Fellowship with passionate believers.
8. In every situation, ask yourself: How can I honor and please God in this? Let His glory be your ultimate aim.
9. When facing trials or difficulties, persevere in trusting God. Resist grumbling or blaming. He will work all things for good.
10. Give generously, serve selflessly, and share the gospel with boldness. Doing God’s work can fan spiritual passion.
As we take practical steps like these to purposefully pursue God, our desire to return to Him wholeheartedly will increase. The Holy Spirit empowers and motivates us to devote every part of ourselves to our faithful Savior.
Prayers for Wholehearted Returning
Approaching God sincerely in prayer and asking Him to renew our devotion is crucial:
“Lord, search my heart and expose any areas of compromise or complacency. Give me an undivided heart so I may return to you sincerely and completely. All I want is to know and love you. Capture my affections and fascinate me with your glory. No person or pleasure rivals you. Help me never settle for anything less than wholehearted devotion. You alone are worthy of everything I am. I surrender everything to your purposes. Thank you for your extravagant love that compels me to return. Empower me by your Spirit to live passionately for your renown and glory. Amen.”
“Father, forgive me for the ways I have strayed and withheld parts of myself from you. I turn from my sins and return to you now with sincerity, urgency and hope. Have your way completely in my life, even if it means giving up comforts or assets. Better to have you than anything this world offers. Heal the brokenness in me that rebels against your rightful lordship. Fan my spiritual fire so I burn only for you. Protect me from the allure of other things. I want to delight in you above all else. Thank you for welcoming me back and pouring out your grace. I pray my life overflows with praise and gratitude. Amen.”
Returning wholeheartedly requires dedication and vigilance. But God promises extraordinary blessings when we devote ourselves completely to Him. By God’s strength, we can joyfully fulfill our highest purpose – glorifying and enjoying our Creator forever. There is no greater calling than loving the Lord our God with all our heart.