Topical Encyclopedia
The term "wholeheartedly" in the biblical context refers to serving, seeking, or following God with complete sincerity, commitment, and devotion. It implies an undivided heart, where one's entire being is focused on God and His commandments. This concept is central to the biblical narrative, emphasizing the importance of a sincere and complete dedication to God.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the idea of serving God wholeheartedly is frequently emphasized.
Deuteronomy 6:5 commands, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This verse underscores the necessity of a total and undivided love for God, which is foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Joshua, in his farewell address to the Israelites, exhorts them to serve God wholeheartedly.
Joshua 22:5 states, "But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul." This passage highlights the comprehensive nature of serving God, involving every aspect of one's life.
King David is often portrayed as a model of wholehearted devotion. In
1 Chronicles 28:9, David advises Solomon, "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought." David's life, despite its imperfections, is marked by a deep and sincere commitment to God.
New Testament ReferencesThe New Testament continues this theme, calling believers to a life of wholehearted devotion to Christ. In
Matthew 22:37, Jesus reiterates the greatest commandment: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’" This commandment encapsulates the essence of wholehearted devotion, requiring believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else.
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently encourages believers to live wholeheartedly for Christ. In
Colossians 3:23, he writes, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This instruction emphasizes that every action, no matter how mundane, should be done with a sincere heart as an act of worship to God.
Theological ImplicationsWholehearted devotion is not merely an external adherence to religious practices but involves an internal transformation of the heart. It requires a sincere and complete surrender to God's will, characterized by love, obedience, and faithfulness. This concept challenges believers to examine their motives and priorities, ensuring that their devotion to God is genuine and undivided.
The biblical call to wholeheartedness is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God desires not just outward compliance but an inward commitment. It is a call to live a life that reflects the love and grace of God, fully dedicated to His purposes and glory.
Strong's Hebrew
3824. lebab -- inner man, mind, will, heart... heart (1), intelligence (1), intended (2), mind (8), purpose (1), thought (1), timid*
(1), understanding (2), wholehearted* (1),
wholeheartedly* (1), yourself
...8003. shalem -- complete, safe, at peace
... 1), completely (1), entire (2), friendly (1), full (4), just (1), perfect (2), prepared
(1), safely (1), uncut (2), whole (5),wholeheartedly* (1), wholly...
Library
The Oldest Family.
... contemptibly rejected. But He was also accepted, gladly, joyously,wholeheartedly
accepted, even though it came to mean pain and shame. As...
The Ninth Chapter: Obedience and Subjection
... Such become discontented and dejected on the slightest pretext; they will never
gain peace of mind unless they subject themselveswholeheartedly for the love...
Whether a Man Can Know that He Has Grace
... thus engendering within them the joy of security, even in this present life, in
order that they may the more confidently andwholeheartedly carry out noble...
Chapter xvii
... El Shadday""not P. Abram is by no means to desist from the type of life
whichwholeheartedly aims to please God. Though he has...
Heralds of the Gospel
... It was here that Mark, overwhelmed with fear and discouragement, wavered for a time
in his purpose to give himselfwholeheartedly to the Lord's work....
Chapter xxxv
... Apparently they enteredwholeheartedly upon the plan, for they gave "all the foreign
gods in their possession," as well as earrings, which must have served as...
Chapter xlviii
... an adjustment such as this. He knows that Joseph will concurwholeheartedly
in this arrangement. The preposition 'adh introduces...
Prayer and the Word of God (Continued)
... Prayer exalts the Word of God and gives it preeminence in the estimation of those
who faithfully andwholeheartedly call upon the Name of the Lord....
The True Sign
... When one who has been controlled by a stubborn, wayward will is set free, and yields
himselfwholeheartedly to the drawing of God's heavenly agencies, a...
Education and Preparation.
... and we infer from the little that is said that she somewhat indifferently accepted
Henry Martyn's homage, but she did notwholeheartedly and generously respond...
Thesaurus
Wholeheartedly (15 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Wholeheartedly (15 Occurrences). Romans 6:17
But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants
...Wholesome (10 Occurrences)
Whole-hearted (6 Occurrences)
Whole-hearted. Wholehearted, Whole-hearted.Wholeheartedly . Multi-Version
Concordance... (See JPS). Wholehearted, Whole-hearted.Wholeheartedly ....
Resources
What does it mean to be devout? | GotQuestions.orgWho is Caleb in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about illegal immigration? | GotQuestions.orgWholeheartedly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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