Shively Christian Church

What is the difference between loving something/someone and being devoted?

As Christians, we are called to devotion, but love is a natural response. Devotion can be more easily swayed than love, while love can sometimes be less visible than devotion.

 

The good thing is, both work hand in hand. My love for Christ came before my devotion. I came to love Him, simply because He loved me first, and the devotion followed. My love for Him has not ceased or faltered since, but my devotion does from time to time.

 

And that is something we all struggle with. While our love for Jesus hopefully never changes, except to grow and improve, our devotion to Him is where we get hung up. Each one of us has something different that we struggle with on a day to day or week to week basis. There is some basic flaw in our character that we hit on from time to time that distracts us form living the life in Christ that we know we should. That is our devotion hitting a snag.

 

And even though those times can be discouraging, as long as we still have concern for reconciling those mistakes, we need not worry about how much we love Him.

 

One of our deacons said "Never love your devotion to Jesus more than you love Jesus Himself." and that is something that we definitely need to be conscious of each day.

 

Why are we serving Jesus, is it for serving's sake, or for Christ's sake? Do we serve to be seen, or out of love and appreciation? Is our love for Him our primary motivator, or a secondary thought?

 

Devotion on it's own does not bring piety. Devotion on it's own quickly leads to empty religion. Love inspired acts result in a greater understanding of that love and relationship.

Love Jesus first and foremost, serve Him as a result of that love, and your devotion will grow alongside that love each day.