Serving with a Perfect Heart: Beyond Good Deeds
2 Chronicles 25:2
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.
Doing right with your actions is one thing, but being right in your heart is another story! Often is the case that we flaunt our good deeds around as if we have achieved something for the Lord, but the true test of character is not what we do for the Lord, but with what attitude we do it! Anyone can go through the motions, making good moral choices which are notable and honorable, but show me someone who does so with a perfect heart towards God, and I’ll show you a rarity in our day.
We must go to the next level of service, where we shift from that of obligation to that of homage! It always comes back down to the heart, doesn’t it? What’s in your heart? Are you willing to go all the way for Jesus? Col. 3:23 says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” Our attitude gauges our level of commitment as well as our level of performance. Although we are saved by grace through faith, it should still be our desire to be at peak performance for our Lord, and this comes only at the altar of a surrendered heart!
We should strive for excellence when we serve Him, not going halfway, but all the way! Prov. 17:27b says, “…a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” When we have the right attitude about serving God, then we come to a whole new realm of understanding and wisdom we knew nothing of beforehand. It is also said of Daniel in Dan. 6:3, “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”
Always remember this; performance does not determine attitude, but attitude determines performance. One may argue, “Serve God long enough, and you’ll begin to like it!” but I say, “Like God long enough, and you’ll begin to serve Him!” If we do not keep our spirits in check, we can allow our attitudes to take a nosedive, thus causing a crash and burn when it comes to our service for Christ! David said in Ps. 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” David knew that a right spirit could pull him out of any situation! Don’t allow a bad attitude about circumstances to cause you to lose your competitive edge over the enemy! As long as your attitude is right, your heart will be right, and as your heart goes, so goes your quality of service to your Lord!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.
Doing right with your actions is one thing, but being right in your heart is another story! Often is the case that we flaunt our good deeds around as if we have achieved something for the Lord, but the true test of character is not what we do for the Lord, but with what attitude we do it! Anyone can go through the motions, making good moral choices which are notable and honorable, but show me someone who does so with a perfect heart towards God, and I’ll show you a rarity in our day.
We must go to the next level of service, where we shift from that of obligation to that of homage! It always comes back down to the heart, doesn’t it? What’s in your heart? Are you willing to go all the way for Jesus? Col. 3:23 says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” Our attitude gauges our level of commitment as well as our level of performance. Although we are saved by grace through faith, it should still be our desire to be at peak performance for our Lord, and this comes only at the altar of a surrendered heart!
We should strive for excellence when we serve Him, not going halfway, but all the way! Prov. 17:27b says, “…a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” When we have the right attitude about serving God, then we come to a whole new realm of understanding and wisdom we knew nothing of beforehand. It is also said of Daniel in Dan. 6:3, “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”
Always remember this; performance does not determine attitude, but attitude determines performance. One may argue, “Serve God long enough, and you’ll begin to like it!” but I say, “Like God long enough, and you’ll begin to serve Him!” If we do not keep our spirits in check, we can allow our attitudes to take a nosedive, thus causing a crash and burn when it comes to our service for Christ! David said in Ps. 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” David knew that a right spirit could pull him out of any situation! Don’t allow a bad attitude about circumstances to cause you to lose your competitive edge over the enemy! As long as your attitude is right, your heart will be right, and as your heart goes, so goes your quality of service to your Lord!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill