From the time I married and had a family of my own I’ve exercised a daily devotion to them. It’s one out of love, compassion, and commitment.
Have there been days that I’ve wanted to be selfish and not serve them? Sure. Have there been moments where I’ve been inconvenienced? Absolutely! But when it comes to my family I strive to demonstrate a selfless loyalty towards them because I have a deep love for them.
To whom or what are you committing your daily devotion?
Perhaps it is your family, job, pets, parents, grandchildren, or hobby.
Whatever you are devoted to it stems from our love or passion towards a person or thing.
God delights in blessing us with these emotions.
However, while all blessings come from God He desires a selfless loyalty to Him. One that honors Him, exalts Him and places Him first over anything else.
King David expressed this to his son Solomon as he was giving Solomon authority as King.
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” (1 Chronicle 28:9, NIV)
David knew from experience that Solomon needed to serve God with wholehearted devotion.
What does it mean to be fully devoted to Christ with a selfless loyalty?
It means dying to self and living for Christ, (Galatians 2:20).
It means that whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him, (Colossians 3:17).
It means that you don’t worship other gods. For the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you, (Exodus 34:14, NLT).
It means that you love the Lord our God will all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, (Luke 10:27)
Our daily devotion to Jesus ought to be the template for the things we love.
Being honest with yourself would you say that you are more devoted to Christ than anything else? Or would you say that Christ takes second, third, or fourth place in your devotion?
If you are not selflessly devoted to Christ and you desire to be then go to Him in prayer. Seek forgiveness and ask Him to help you realign your loyalties. This does not mean you need to forfeit what you are loyal to, it just means you need to prioritize them by allowing God to be your priority.
As you do this I pray you will discover that your love for God will grow deep and that love will overflow onto everything else.
God has shown me that when I prioritize Him, giving Him first place before I serve anyone else, I can love others as Christ loves me. That is a better love than I can give on my own.
