Wikipedia starts off by saying, "religious devotion". I'll assume religious because our world insists that our spiritual lives and physical lives are separated one from the other. I believe that they are not divided. Can we cut off our heads and still live? The answer is obviously no and yet we are driven by the world and the devil to believe that everything is separated.
Let's discuss Devotion as defined at Dictionary.com. Devotion: profound dedication, consecration. Follow the link to read the additional descriptions. "Profound dedication" in today's world is extreme or radical and yet our Father, the creator of all the universe is profoundly dedicated to the reconciliation of HIS creation back to Himself. He sent Jesus Christ to become the ultimate sacrifice for all of mankind for this very purpose. God set the standard for devotion by willingly giving His best, His all for us.
Profound dedication shouldn't give us pause. I know people. and I'm sure you do as well, who are driven to succeed in their careers. So dedicated in fact that they barely see family or anyone else beyond their work. In our society today, this is acceptable behavior. Yet anyone outside of the clergy who shows this drive for Christ and His church gets a label; zealot, religious freak, fanatic, intolerant and the list goes on.
The truth is that our God is a jealous God. Exodus 20:5 - "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the fourth generations of those who hate Me,". Oh but you say, that's just in the Old Testament and I ask you to remember what Jesus said, "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the Holy angels." ~Mark 8:38
I've used just two examples of what I believe show God's expectations concerning our devotion to Him. He's jealous for our devotion, dedication, worship and He expects us to be open about who He is in our life. While we live and work, God still expects us to be devoted to Him is everything we do. "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men," ~Colossians 3:23
Regardless of what we do, if devotion is defined as profound dedication, then even our work and play should be acts of worship. All that we are and do should reflect our faith and should glorify our Father. This is the goal, the purpose for our life. To live in worship of our Father is founded on our being profoundly dedicated to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God send His best and He deserves our best. The choice as always is ours. We can proclaim His majesty and glory to the ends of the earth and make disciple of men or we can choose to live for our own selfish desires and purposes. We can't do both and still worship Him in spirit and truth.
Glorify God with me today. Put Christ first in all things and be His light to all who see you today as you worship Him in all you do!
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
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