"Devoted"

  Is there something we are missing? When we look at our lives, what are we devoted to? As we look back some 2000 years, we find that when Christ built His church through the teaching of His apostles, there was something very unique going on. Those who received the word that Peter and those apostles spoke that day were responding to the call of God through the death of Jesus. After those 3000 were baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:37-47), something was happening within them that created a drive, a desire and want. What is it? They were devoted!

  What do we see today? Little devotion. Salvation doesn't seem to stir us. At times I wonder if we know what it means to be saved? Those early brethren understood they stood condemned and would face the Messiah they had crucified. They knew their sins were great and the release from those sins was monumental. As a result of their being washed pure and clean from all sins and guilt, they were devoted. "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42) These brethren wanted the apostles teaching and they were devoted in seeking it! Today, there are too many devoted to someone else's teaching. Some devote themselves to things that make them feel good about themselves. Some are devoted to the mega-church ideas, wanting to be part of this new era of church.  Many seem devoted to things that have little to do with the teaching of the apostles but the music is great.

  These first century brethren were devoted to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to breaking of bread and prayer! Too many are content with as little as possible. The teaching of the apostles is not thrilling which means fellowship will not be thrilling, much less breaking bread and prayer, it's almost non-existent. Can we see the importance? We need to follow the teaching of the apostles, have our heart set to hear and receive it so we can find what we need to adhere to and what to not pay attention to. It will bind us, strengthen us and stir us to a more intimate time with the Lord and one another. In all this, it led them to a faith of commonness and praising God.

  Salvation is wonderful! Forgiveness is wonderful! It should lead each of us to being devoted! What about you?