God does not measure a man in feet by the height of his stature. God does not measure a man in inches by the bulk of his chest.  God does not measure a man in a currency based on his annual earnings.  God does not measure a man by his parents or the heritage he was given.  God does not measure a man by the accolades he receives from this world.   God does not measure a man by his “likes” or “followers” within the world of social media.

As I attempt to engage my children for the Lord  I am continually reminded by God’s Word to direct my greatest attention toward the hearts of my children.  God’s measure of a man is a heart metric.  While the world uplifts a measurement of the external, God’s measurement of man is totally driven by the internal.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him.  For the LORD does no see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7

The heart is the epicenter of what defines a man, and consequently the heart is the cause of what compels a man.  As a young man, I believed the lie that God could have my heart and at the same time share it with my desires of this world.  It was a so-called compartmentalized life.  This is how I could reconcile my worldly wants versus God’s calling to deny myself and no longer live for myself.

Approximately 13 years ago, God used a number of people, Bible studies, and events to lead me to a spiritual tipping point.  When He had my heart ready He led me to this one passage:

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

God had prepared my heart, and as I stood before these two verses I became a ruined man.  I could no longer rationalize a compartmentalized life.  I could no longer maintain a reality that allowed my heart to be God’s and at the same time hold on to the things of this world.  My heart, my body, my life was no longer mine.  Christ had paid the price on the cross.  To be truly His meant that my life, in totality, was now God’s, and as His child I am called for one greater purpose: To glorify Him.

The world measures a man by looking at the external.  God measures the man by looking at his heart.

#1 - Does God have your heart in and through Jesus Christ?

#2 - Is your heart all about God’s glory being revealed in and through your life?

No compartmentalization.  No area of life untouched by God's holy presence.  Every aspect of who I am and how I live are submitted to my Savior God who now lives within me.  Have you reached this spiritual tipping point?  If not, why not?  What is holding you back?

To take this step of faith meant that I needed to hold fast to the grace that brought me here.  It was God's grace that saved me and it is God's grace that will grow me.  As I hold fast to Him, my grips on the things of this world have loosened.  Yet, it is a day to day pursuit.  Yesterday's victories do not guarantee today's success.  The only certainty of success is found within one's moment by moment reliance of God.

Father, we praise You for Your grace that has saved us.  Please continue to give us a heart that seeks Your kingdom and Your righteousness.  May You be our greatest life treasure and the heritage we give our children.  For Your glory and honor.  Amen.