A People Who Are Devoted to God
In another post in our Apostolic Foundations series we are going to look at our third foundation, being those who are devoted to God.
The prophet Jeremiah told us that God planned to write on the tablets of our hearts that we were His people and He would be our God (Jer 31:33). When Jesus came and died for us He opened the way for us to know God through His Holy Spirit (John 17:3). When the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2:39) the spirit began to indwell within believers, sparking into life a love and devotion to God that came from the very centre of their beings (John 7:38-39). Now God himself dwells in us and among us by His spirit (2 Corinthians 6:16).
Our church communities should now be filled with people who love the Lord with all our hearts and serve him with reverence and awe. We have the joy of being families rooted in the revelation that God is our Father and enjoy fellowship and communion with him as His adopted children. We live a life together worshipping, fasting and praying individually and together out of our joyful devotion to God.
Matt Partridge recently told some great stories of devotion to God at one of our leaders gatherings. He spoke of an incredible teenager that was asked why she had chosen not to sleep with anyone until she got married. Her response was that she was dedicated to Jesus and loved Him more than anyone or anything else. She was scoffed at by the one that interviewed her. His response was to tell her “as an adult, I just need to let you know, I could never do that and I don’t know anyone else that could either”. The teen bravely responded, asking him if he was a Christian? “No, I’m an atheist” was the reply that came back. She went on to tell him her ability to remain pure because this is “an obedience that comes by faith. You can’t do it really, if you are not a Christian. It’s my connection to Jesus that enables me to make a promise I can keep.”
When we are filled with the Spirit of God we become those who are able to live for Him with devotion and love. He empowers us to will and to do that which pleases Him. He does not leave us alone and is our constant companion throughout the trials of our lives.
To hear more stories like this you can listen to Matt’s session here.
In our next post we will explore our third Apostolic Foundation: Being a people of the Word and Spirit.
If you missed our last posts in the series you can read them below:
