BOUND AND DETERMINED
What are you “bound and determined” to do in 2018?
The phrase “bound and determined” is usually considered in a negative context. For example, the three-year old was “bound and determined” to not let her mom take her hand to cross the road. The will of the three-year old was deeply resolved to do anything and everything necessary to prevent the mother’s protection and guidance.
Let’s consider a positive approach to the phrase “bound and determined”. The child of God is “bound and determined” to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength . . . and . . . love thy neighbour as thyself. (Mark 12:30-31)
In 2018, will you consider being firmly resolved to not let anyone or anything get in the way of you acting upon the most supreme of all God’s teachings? Make a determination in 2018 to not allow anyone or anything to distract your focus away from the determined resoluteness which we are commanded to love God.
If you were to make a list of New Year’s Resolutions, the list could be shortened dramatically if you were “bound and determined” to do these greatest of all commandments. A deep resolution to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love those around you as you do yourself would encompass all the other Resolutions that could be put on your list.
Let each Christian be “bound and determined” in 2018 to not let anyone or anything get in our way of accomplishing this God honoring commandment. Likewise, we should be bound and determined to give to others as we give to ourselves.
May the Spirit of God give us wisdom and resoluteness to accomplish these most important commandments in the year ahead. Be “bound and determined” —- don’t let anyone or anything get in your way of your love to God and to others.
Additional Thoughts
We are never more Christ-like than when we are obedient to God. ~ John MacArthur
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us. ~Ephesians 5:2