2 Tim. 4:1-8, Pure and Simple Devotion to Christ (3)

After meditating on the essence of worship, as the expression of a pure and simple devotion to Christ, todays post is a little more down the “teaching” line, but also, we trust, being an encouragement to us in our walk with Christ.  The question has to do with the “mechanics” of devotion. We are called to be devoted to God, the One and Only God!  But how does this work out in our lives?  We cannot see God.  Is this devotion to Him just a matter of saying, “I love you?”  One way we can answer this question is to see the disciplines of devotion, if you will. 

How can a person be devoted to God?

1)    Jer. 30:21: By devoting oneself to being close to God.  As James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  What that must mean, for starters, is that God has drawn you to Christ, and you, having come to Christ, have believed on Him (John 6:35).

2)    Ezra 7:10: By devoting oneself to the study of God’s word.  As Luke told us in Acts, about the Bereans, they were more noble than other Jews of the day because they searched the Scriptures daily (Ac. 17:11). 

3)    Col. 4:2: By devoting oneself to prayer.  I find it easy to read and study the Bible.  But prayer is an essential discipline.  And, as in any relationship or friendship, the conversations must be deep on occasion as well as the short conversations brought about by some event in our lives.  Rom. 12:12 tells us to be “faithful” in prayer.

4)    1 Chron. 28:9: By devoting oneself to serving God.  Paul acknowledged the house of Stephanas, at Corinth, for their devotion to the service of the saints.  Romans 12:10 puts it this way: being devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Service is possible every moment we live.  Our lives are not full of mere “moments” but of opportunities to serve the God who made us.

5)    The disciplines for a church are the same as individual Christians. 

a)    Acts 2:42: The early Church was devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers.

b)    Titus 3:8,14: Paul told Titus to encourage the churches of Crete to be devoted to good works.

Let us not just do the study.  Let us live daily in our relationship with the One who is the King eternal, immortal, invisible, God only wise, to whom be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Tim. 1:17)