We are all devoted to something. We can be devoted to the people in our lives, our careers, our hobbies, and many other things. What we are devoted to reveals many things about us, including what we prioritize, what we value, and what we love. Our devotions give others a window into what is most important to us. Today, we will look at the early church and what its members were devoted to so that we can learn from them and follow their example.
When describing the early church and what its members were devoted to, Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, said, "All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper) and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). The apostles' teaching consisted of teachings that had been revealed to them from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The fellowship they devoted themselves to was rooted in love and devotion to Christ, which is why they shared the Lord's Supper. Early church members were devoted to things that matter for eternity. They were eager to learn and grow in community and their relationships with God. In other words, they were devoted to godly living. This devotion to God and the things of Him must have catapulted their faith and led to exponential growth. After all, when we devote ourselves to God and the things of Him, we grow.
Of course, devoting themselves to God was not just for the early church. It is God’s call for us today, too. That is why James writes in James 1:22, “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." If we are genuinely devoted to godly living, then we will obey God's word to us in Scripture. We will live lives that honor Him through our obedience.
The early church was devoted to godly living, including listening to and obeying the teachings of the apostles, gathering together, and praying. What are you devoted to? If you need help determining what you are devoted to, examine what you spend your time doing and what consistently occupies your thoughts and attention. Our actions point to what we are devoted to. Luke wrote that the early church was devoted to teaching, fellowship, and prayer because he saw the early church members consistently listening to the apostles' teaching, gathering together, and praying. Their devotion is an example for us. Like the members of the early church, we can devote ourselves to the teachings of Scripture, gather with our communities of believers, and pray. As we devote ourselves to these things, we grow. We become stronger in our relationships with God and with one another.
When you think about what the disciples were devoted to, listening to teaching, gathering together, and praying, which comes most naturally to you? Which area do you want to grow in the most? Then, think about one way to grow in that area, and take that step starting today!
1This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.
Greetings!
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
