This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Let Easter Change you: Godly Habits! (WATCH HERE)
Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves…to the fellowship…
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
What does it mean to be devoted to something?
You invest time.
You invest your person.
You invest your finances
You invest your life.
Why? Because it’s important…even when what you are devoted to doesn’t always give you the return you are looking for (insert parenting in this thought )
But you stay devoted. You stay committed. You stay engaged.
Why? Because it’s important.
Christians are devoted first and foremost to the Lord, but the Lord desires that we are devoted also to the gathering together of other Christians…the fellowship…the church.
It’s easy to see church as someone or something that needs to be devoted to me. It’s easy to view church from the standpoint of “what’s in it for me?” It’s even easy to buy into the thought, “I don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” (CoVid tended to reinforce this thought.)
Perhaps…but none of these thoughts and mindsets are an expression of devotion to the fellowship. In fact, they are a selfish, self-centered approach to being involved in a community of believers.
Sure, you GET something out of being around other Christians, but when you are devoted to the gathering of fellow Christians your focus changes.
You realize you are in a fellowship of believers to GIVE something to them.
You have encouragement others need to hear. (Hebrews 10:25)
You have gifts that others don’t. (1 Corinthians 12)
You have resources to support the work the fellowship does. (2 Corinthians 9)
You have a love for the success of the mission God has given his church. (Matthew 28:18-20)
You have a story others need to hear. (Acts 1:8)
And the list goes on.
When I’m devoted to something I do it when I’m tired. I do it when I don’t feel like it. I make it a priority in the middle of a busy schedule. I sacrifice to ensure the success of the mission. I go even when I want to stay home. I engage because I know others are counting on me.
Perhaps for too long we have considered church and a fellowship of believers something to be a “member” of and an organization in which I get to enjoy “rights and privileges.” What changes when all who attend a church see themselves as “partners” in the Gospel ministry and are devoted to the fellowship of believers who gather at that church?
Perhaps we just look at what happened when the group of believers in Acts 2 were devoted to each other…:
Acts 2:44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
God works blessing for you and his church when you are devoted to it!
Apply: What changes with your involvement with a local church and fellowship of believers when you realize the importance and blessing of being devoted to it? What is one habit you can begin or enhance that increases your devotion to a local church, a fellowship of believers?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for gathering your people together in the fellowship of the church. Forgive me for being more of a consumer than a contributor. Empower me by your Spirit to see the tremendous blessing to me, to others, and to your church when everyone, including me, is devoted to the fellowship of believers! AMEN.