The psalmist asks God, “Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”[1] Fearing Abba is such an incredible gift from God, but it is not possible with a divided heart. We must be wholly devoted to him: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”[2] Consistency of thought and action, word and deed—this is the mark of an undivided heart.
To underscore the importance of an undivided heart, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”[3] Heart, soul, mind, and strength—nothing about us is untouched by his command.
Unity of heart and action is a decision we make, but it is also a gift from God. Speaking of the blessings of the new covenant, God through the prophet Jeremiah said:
“They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.”[4]
The fear of Abba is a multigenerational gift from God, inspired by his love; it is an ongoing, eternal promise filled with God’s goodness. But like salvation, it is a gift we must choose to receive, and receive it we must, for it alone will prevent us from turning away from God and rejecting him.
God provides us the inspiration to fear him.
[1] Psalm 86:11 [2] Colossians 3:17 [3] Mark 12:30 [4] Jeremiah 32:38–40, emphasis added
