Devoted to God: What Does That Mean?
On a devoted to God scale, some days I register on both ends of the meter. Flesh influencers like feelings, circumstances and bad hair days deter devotion.
The crux of a Christian’s devotion to God hinges on being satisfied with Him. Howling about the unfairness of your Christian station in life is a clear sign you don’t give your life to God, even though you’re saved.
The “Yes (I’ll do it)” and “Amen (So be it)” of your faith point to what’s inside your heart. Do you go out of your way to find out what His plans are for you? Are you fanatically in love with God, so much so, that a life dependent on God runs roughshod over self-reliance?
God can be the shepherd, master, and overseer of all you do without feeling you’ve lost control. When allowed, He turns your life upside down (in the right way) so you gain more than you give up.
What Is Devotion to God?
God has always wanted His people to love Him. How heartbreaking for Him when the Israelites sought treasures to take His place.
That’s because love and treasure go hand in hand. Jesus knew that when He said,
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment (Mathew 22:37-38).
He also said in Mathew 10:37 that if you hold fathers, mothers, and children closer to you than Jesus, you don’t deserve Him. Unless the Son of God carries you away and you place Him first, everything else is twaddle. Apostle Paul saw it that way too.
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8).
Satisfying yourself isn’t exactly new behavior for mankind. This prophecy delivered to the people of Israel from Jeremiah, chapters 7 and 8 applies to all people ever born.
But this thing I commanded them, saying, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.” But they did not listen, nor incline their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward (Jeremiah 7:23-24).
Then at the perfect time, Jesus comes to earth, sheds His blood, and gives believers His life as the purchase price for sin. During those first moments of salvation, all you want to do is please Him.
How to Devote Your Life to God
Most of us wait for God’s big opportunities to come our way. A huge dose of pride overcomes our hearts when our deepest yearning is for others to notice spiritual successes.
What about the small moments when no one sees your obedience and devotion to God? I would guess that what we consider as big things in God’s kingdom never impress Him.
Feeding birds in the dead of winter or rescuing a lost animal honors God’s creation. Surprising a loved one with a cake for no reason exhibits love and a generous heart. Visiting nursing home residents who will never tell others you came is an act of kindness.
In the Bible, a young boy obediently offered a few loaves and fish. Jesus multiplied them. God saw Rahab’s faithfulness when she placed the red cord in the window to save herself and her family. With a sling and stones, David who hung out with sheep defeats the giant Goliath.
Moses, an 80-year-old, led God’s people out of Egypt. Mary of Bethany in complete abandonment to Jesus poured anointing oil on His feet. His disciples considered it a waste.
God uses seemingly small gestures and people considered nobodies to accomplish His purposes.
Devoted to God Means He’s First
Christians devote their lives to God and can’t wait to tell others about Jesus because He’s the cornerstone of every heartbeat and breath. They follow Jesus’ lead and serve others.
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).
Think about it. Thousands and millions of people have not heard The Gospel message. You’re the direct connection to offer eternal life to a dying world. When devoted to God, you can’t hold back the salvation message because a person’s skin color or something else turns you off. It’s important to God and your spiritual health to figure out why you don’t say “Yes” and “Amen” to what He wants for you.
When you devote your life to God, unbelievers see you as a doormat. So what? Yoked and yielded to God means you serve others freely and naturally.
Devoted to God Today and Every Day
A real shepherd who manages sheep places an earmark on one of the sheep’s ears to show ownership. Christians act differently (or should) even though not physically branded. This scripture illustrates what I mean.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy (I Peter 2:9-10).
Essentially, Christians are holy because God is. Holiness occurs because the Holy Spirit lives inside each born-again Christian. Your natural body is unholy yet the spirit part of you identifies with righteousness (right living).
God sets you apart. You gain new standards, attitudes, morals, and thoughts because Jesus is your Lord and Savior. He gives you an exclusive job—to bring others to Christ.
Just keep in mind, you’re hated by the world (Matthew 10:22). Because you belong to Jesus, the world is not your home so you feel like a foreigner in an evil land.
Devote Yourself to God
So, what does it mean when you’re devoted to God?
Light radiates from devoted Christians. You’re totally transparent about your shortcomings and relationship with God. You look forward to Christian disciplines like studying the Bible, praying, and worshipping.
As soon as you wake up, God is in your mind and heart and you’re sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s voice. You’re onboard with God because you love His Son. You’re devoted to Christ and submit your life to the triune God.
My book, God On the Back Pew, details how God meets with all sorts of people. He’s just as devoted to you as you are to Him!