Then the officers who were over the thousands of the army, the commanders of thousands and the commanders of hundreds, came near to Moses and said to Moses, “Your servants have counted the men of war who are under our command, and there is not a man missing from us. And we have brought the Lord’s offering, what each man found, articles of gold, armlets and bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and beads, to make atonement for ourselves before the Lord.” (Numbers 31:48-50 ESV)
Totally
Every Israelite Soldier survived. Every Midianite Soldier perished.
Every bit of plunder was brought to the Lord. Every valuable Midianite possession was destroyed.
There was no middle ground in this battle.
It was all or nothing.
God’s ways are ‘all or nothing’ more often than we, His people, are often comfortable.
He demands and deserves total submission to Him. Not merely submission when convenient, or when we agree with what He is doing and saying.
He loves His people completely, doing ALL things for our good. Not merely giving a nudge or two at key moments of history, or at an important moment in the development of our hearts.
Jesus, in His suffering, did not redeem us from most of our guilt.
Jesus, on the cross, did not mostly die.
Jesus was resurrected… completely and even improved.
Jesus ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and was given the throne… not brought a little bit closer to His reign.
God saves totally… because we need total salvation.