All My Strength - #1

My searches on defining “loving God with all of my strength” lead me to believe that “my strength” is the effort and actions that I make and control in my life.

Loving God with all of my strength means:

I will confess my sins to Jesus and will put all my effort into living a righteous and holy life by following all of God’s commandments.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1Jo 1:9 ASV)

He who covers his sins never prospers, but he who confesses and forsakes them shall have pity. (Pro 28:13 LITV)

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving-kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies; blot out my transgressions. Wash me completely from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (Psa 51:1-2 LITV)

Ok, let's first do a little review.
In order to get close to God, one has to be pure, holy, and sanctified (see Leviticus 8:6-15, 16:3-4). In the sinful state that I am in, I would never be able to get close to Him, let alone have a relationship with Him. But God desires relationship with all of us, so that is why He sent Jesus (see previous blog entry - "God's Solution to Restore Relationship - Jesus").

I must go through Jesus in order to have a relationship with God. Only Jesus can cleanse me from my sins and make me pure, holy, and sanctified so that I can approach God (see previous blog entry - "Why should I take the time to get to know Jesus?"). By having a relationship with Jesus, I have a relationship with God.

A close relationship requires truth and honesty in all situations. So, when I confess my sins to Jesus, I am being open and honest with Him about the things that I have done wrong in my life. I can't keep anything secret from Him because He knows it all! He has promised to forgive me and show mercy towards me if I continue to be honest with Him.

For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works. (Tit 2:11-14 ASV)

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. (Psa 103:17-18 KJV)

Therefore, brothers, I call on you through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God. (Rom 12:1-2 LITV)

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (1Th 4:7 KJV)

but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy. (1Pe 1:15-16 ASV)

Jesus instructs me to live a holy and righteous life just like He did while He was on this Earth. When I do, then I am less likely to sin. If I live my life contrary to how Jesus commands me to live, then I am just putting distance between us, and eventually I will break my relationship with Him. It won't be true repentance until I turn away from a lifestyle of sin and walk in His ways.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecc 12:13 KJV)

I've committed myself and I'll never turn back from living by your righteous order. (Psa 119:106 MSG)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phi 4:13 KJV)

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. (Psa 18:1 KJV)

I am committed to live my life for Jesus! It is my duty to obey Him and to live righteously. On my own strength, this would be difficult to do, but because I am in relationship with Jesus, He gives me His strength to stay on course with Him.

I show God that I love Him with all of my strength when I live my life for Jesus.

**The rest of the "All My Strength" blogs have been archived.
They are available to read at http://www.basiclovetraining.org/index_files/blt_level2.htm