A Perfect Heart and a Willing Mind

David told Solomon in 1 Chronicles chapter 28 to Serve God with a perfect heart and a willing mind for it was he that God had ordained to build the Temple of God. It was Solomon's great task to FOLLOW THE LEADING OF GOD'S SPIRIT and make everything in perfect order according to God's plan. He had to make sure that each instrument was the correct weight and material that God had laid out for it to be.  To most people, the word perfect is a bit scary and unsettling; After all, how can anyone ever be truly perfect as long as we must daily battle with our flesh? The answer to that question is a quite simple one when you stop to think about it. No doubt Solomon understood this concept or God would not have chosen him to accomplish this great feat. We find later in the scripture that Solomon asked for wisdom when he could have asked for anything and God would have granted anything that he asked of Him. Second Chronicles chapter one gives us this story.

Solomon must have had purity within his heart for God to ask Him to build the temple, but this account gives us an idea of just how pure Solomon's heart truly was. He was able to ask anything from God and it would have been granted. He could have asked for a long life, or great riches, or anything his heart could imagine that would benefit him, but instead he chose something that would not only benefit him, but his kingdom. The very same heart that was in Christ for His kingdom. He could have chosen to walk away from the cross, but instead His mind and heart were on His kingdom. This is the very first and foremost thing we must understand about having a perfect heart: willingness to serve others by putting their needs or desires before your own. That should be the goal of every Christian globally.

How do we reach this level, though? We must condition ourselves much like soldiers. In fact, Second Timothy 2:3 tells us to "Endure hardness as a good soldier". We must start off in "basic training" and work our way "through the ranks" just as a soldier of a good report would do. A good soldier fights because he is willing to serve his country and its cause, he fights for a goal that has been set forth by his leaders, he stands in the midst of the heat of battle without wavering in his faith to the cause because he knows that it isn't just his life at stake, but the freedom of his people. This is how his heart becomes "perfect" toward his duty. His willingness brings forth the desire to attain perfection and he fights for that no matter the consequences, no matter the cost.

Jesus endured the cross because He had conditioned Himself not to take His desires or needs into consideration, rather to focus on the needs of His people, His kingdom. His heart was perfect and His mind willing, thus enabling Him to endure suffering and shame for the greater good of the world. His battle was for the freedom of humanity, while our battle is for the freedom of our friends and family. Just as He fought to free souls of the people of the world, we must fight to free those same souls through Him. Our commission is to fight for the same cause as Christ did. We must also put on a perfect heart and a willing mind. Philippians 2:5 tells us to put on the mind of Christ. For us, this means to do His work, to fight no matter the cost, to reach for the goal no matter what we have to endure and go through. Again, the Bible tells us to endure hardness like a good soldier.

We know that everything will not always be a bed of roses, but this is what enables us to condition ourselves for the cause of Christ. That very struggle is what strengthens us and makes us. When one runs, they do not just start off running five miles, but they work up to their goal. They make their mind more willing with each step, with each day. Even though they may get weary at times, they have set a goal and are determined to reach that goal. This determination creates their heart's perfection. Spiritually, when we feel weak, the Holy Ghost will keep and strengthen us. The Spirit of God is the only way to reach this perfection, but through God all things are possible!

As we all walk through life, we must make our minds up that Heaven is our goal and that we will stop at nothing to reach it. God bless, and have a wonderful day.