"Go, Do All That Is In Your Heart . . . "
"Go, Do All That Is In Your Heart . . . "
The words of the title for this treatise (above) were addressed to King David; and they came from the lips of Nathan the prophet, as they are found in 2 Sam. 7:3 (as well as in 1 Chron. 17:2). Nathan also added this reason (for David to "do all that was in [his] heart"): " . . . For the LORD is with you."
On various occasions, during some of my sermons, I would preach these kinds of words to the faithful Christian church members gathered on those Sundays--That, "IF you believe in and love the Lord Jesus Christ with all your hearts, minds, souls, and strength--THEN, you should, 'Do whatever it is you want to do.' " I would explain, that what I mean, is that they could/should "do whatever they wanted to do," because everything they "wanted to do" would be in constitutional accord with all the will of God. (This does not mean that they would do all of these good things perfectly.)
Conversely, my doctrine would be: "IF you do not believe in nor love the Lord Jesus Christ, do not do what you want to do." Of course, I knew (and know) that sinners (and even sinner/saints) are going to "do whatever they want to do," (as much as is within their power; and their perceived self-interest)--whether I tell them to desist from doing it, or not.
In truth, this is basically the case for all of us: we all certainly endeavor "to do whatever it is we want to do," whether that brings glory to God, or not; and whether this is in our best interests, or not.
Some religious people might find it irresponsible, for a gospel minister of God's true church, to tell Christ-lovers, "to do whatever they want to do"--but I do not share their concern. Gospel grace in Jesus is so liberating, that it should not be constrained in any way. The supposition that this kind of preaching is "irresponsible" is based in a works- and performance-based "justification," and a false gospel (which does not, in reality, exist). As many of us know, the Apostle Paul was accused of this "irresponsible" gospel preaching (as in Rom. 6:1 ff.)--but it did nothing to hinder him from continuing to do it.
Someone might say, "Yes; but what about all the warnings and prohibitions the New Testament writers present to us?" This is an understandable comment; but it kind of misses the point altogether. All true Christian (Spirit-wrought) obedience is entirely based in faith in Jesus through His gospel, and in love for God in and through Him. (There is no other kind of "obedience.") And, this true obedience involves doing some things, and not doing other things. The truly spiritual person (in Jesus) only wants to do those things that please his or her Heavenly Father; and he or she desires to avoid doing the things that displease Him.
To return to the David/Nathan account (that opened this discussion): Nathan knew (by God's direct intervention) that David's heart was pure in its desire to "build God a house." Therefore, Nathan could say with complete confidence and authority, "Go, do all that is in your heart, David."
That same gospel principle applies to all the faithful church members today--so long as we sincerely love Christ. The principle does not apply to anyone else--and this would include "Lone Ranger" "Christians" who are too good for God or Christ's church.
In closing, one text will suffice to encapsulate this gospel concept; and it comes from 1 Cor. 2:15 & 16b, where we read these words: "The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. . . . But we have the mind of Christ," (ESV).
Rev. Mark J. Henninger
Treatise #44
29 November 2025
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