Devotion
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
It’s interesting isn’t it, that the very first description of the Church given to us in the Bible contains these three words: “They devoted themselves.” The very first thing said about the very first Church is that they were a devoted Church. They were people who took the time to wisely sort through the myriad of responsibilities their life contained and made decisions about what was beneficial, what was not beneficial, what was good and what was best. Their careful discernment caused them to commit themselves to the things that were most important. The word devoted comes from a word, which means, “to make a binding promise,” or, “a pledge.” At its heart, devotion has to do with enduring, persevering - or sticking to something even when there are many other issues that call for our attention.
Now you might think that it must have been easier for the early Christians to be devoted because their lives were so much simpler than ours. Don’t kid yourself. Being devoted has never been easy! One of the great illusions of our day is that we tend to think that our life situations -- the pressures, the responsibilities, the challenges we face make devotion more difficult for us. But the truth is it’s never been easy. If you really want to find out if it was easier for them to express their devotion to Christ, go talk to a farmer. The early church was founded in an agrarian society. They faced the never ending pressures of taking care of livestock, looking after crops, mending fences, and repairing equipment, etc. And they didn’t have access to the hundreds of time-saving devices we have at our disposal. Have you ever talked to any farmer who had idle time on his hands? If anything, our spiritual parent’s lifestyle was even more demanding than ours. Yet they began and remained devoted.
The issue is not that their lives were easier – the issue is their priorities were clearer. They simply separated the essential from the non-essential. The essential became non-negotiable as they filled out their day-timers. The non-essential was worked into the schedule as long as it didn’t interfere with that which was most important. They committed themselves to disciplines and activities that would cause them to grow in the likeness of Jesus and create authentic Christ-like community with one another. The thought of having a casual commitment to the things to which they were devoted wouldn’t make sense to them.
* “All the believers were one in heart and mind.” They were committed to connectedness. There was a wonderful harmony between them. There was a refusal to tolerate unresolved conflict. The standard has never changed. There should be a refusal in every Spirit-filled church to say that bitterness and resentment festering day after day, year after year is acceptable. That may be the norm in the world but it is different for the Church. In the Church, where the Spirit of God reigns, we are devoted to the practice of forgiveness and the expression of grace.
* “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” They were devoted to living a biblical lifestyle: To regularly having their thoughts and actions shaped and molded by the Word of God. To regularly gathering together with other believers to worship God and to celebrate His activity in their lives. To consistent times of prayer -- both alone and with others. To meeting together for fellowship, encouragement, support and accountability.
* “All the believers were together and had everything in common. “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” They were devoted to meeting the needs of others. Part of what made this community of the early church so powerful was its willingness to share what they had with people in need. They were constantly looking for ways that they could be a blessing to others. The Church has never been about “me.” The Church has always been about “others.”
As you start a new year with the Lord ask yourself this question, “To what am I devoted?” “What are some of the non-negotiable commitments in my life?” Are you devoted to meeting with God regularly, to filling your mind and heart with his word, to worshipping each week, and do you stick to that commitment even when it’s not convenient? Are you devoted to meeting need in another person’s life? Are there interests in your life which often take priority over your devotion to the Lord? Before you get very far into this new year determine to give your full devotion to the Lord. Decide to begin and end this year devoted to your Savior. How can we do less when He has been so devoted to us?
Devotion (dĭ-vō'shən) Noun.
Definition: 1. Commitment; Loyalty.
2. The condition of being closely tied to another by affection or faith.
It’s interesting isn’t it, that the very first description of the Church given to us in the Bible contains these three words: “They devoted themselves.” The very first thing said about the very first Church is that they were a devoted Church. They were people who took the time to wisely sort through the myriad of responsibilities their life contained and made decisions about what was beneficial, what was not beneficial, what was good and what was best. Their careful discernment caused them to commit themselves to the things that were most important. The word devoted comes from a word, which means, “to make a binding promise,” or, “a pledge.” At its heart, devotion has to do with enduring, persevering - or sticking to something even when there are many other issues that call for our attention.
Now you might think that it must have been easier for the early Christians to be devoted because their lives were so much simpler than ours. Don’t kid yourself. Being devoted has never been easy! One of the great illusions of our day is that we tend to think that our life situations -- the pressures, the responsibilities, the challenges we face make devotion more difficult for us. But the truth is it’s never been easy. If you really want to find out if it was easier for them to express their devotion to Christ, go talk to a farmer. The early church was founded in an agrarian society. They faced the never ending pressures of taking care of livestock, looking after crops, mending fences, and repairing equipment, etc. And they didn’t have access to the hundreds of time-saving devices we have at our disposal. Have you ever talked to any farmer who had idle time on his hands? If anything, our spiritual parent’s lifestyle was even more demanding than ours. Yet they began and remained devoted.
The issue is not that their lives were easier – the issue is their priorities were clearer. They simply separated the essential from the non-essential. The essential became non-negotiable as they filled out their day-timers. The non-essential was worked into the schedule as long as it didn’t interfere with that which was most important. They committed themselves to disciplines and activities that would cause them to grow in the likeness of Jesus and create authentic Christ-like community with one another. The thought of having a casual commitment to the things to which they were devoted wouldn’t make sense to them.
* “All the believers were one in heart and mind.” They were committed to connectedness. There was a wonderful harmony between them. There was a refusal to tolerate unresolved conflict. The standard has never changed. There should be a refusal in every Spirit-filled church to say that bitterness and resentment festering day after day, year after year is acceptable. That may be the norm in the world but it is different for the Church. In the Church, where the Spirit of God reigns, we are devoted to the practice of forgiveness and the expression of grace.
* “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” They were devoted to living a biblical lifestyle: To regularly having their thoughts and actions shaped and molded by the Word of God. To regularly gathering together with other believers to worship God and to celebrate His activity in their lives. To consistent times of prayer -- both alone and with others. To meeting together for fellowship, encouragement, support and accountability.
* “All the believers were together and had everything in common. “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” They were devoted to meeting the needs of others. Part of what made this community of the early church so powerful was its willingness to share what they had with people in need. They were constantly looking for ways that they could be a blessing to others. The Church has never been about “me.” The Church has always been about “others.”
As you start a new year with the Lord ask yourself this question, “To what am I devoted?” “What are some of the non-negotiable commitments in my life?” Are you devoted to meeting with God regularly, to filling your mind and heart with his word, to worshipping each week, and do you stick to that commitment even when it’s not convenient? Are you devoted to meeting need in another person’s life? Are there interests in your life which often take priority over your devotion to the Lord? Before you get very far into this new year determine to give your full devotion to the Lord. Decide to begin and end this year devoted to your Savior. How can we do less when He has been so devoted to us?
In Joy,
PT
posted by Larry | 4:52 PM
1 Comments:
I know you posted this eons ago, but wanted to say thank you for such a poignant post. Beautifully describes what the church should truly be and why we NEED redemptive community.
Jessie
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