They Devoted Themselves
Meditate: Acts 2:42

Once I become a Christian, there’s the not-so-little matter of God preparing me to live in His kingdom.

These first Christians understood something very important-while it is God’s “problem” to make these changes in me, I also have a part.  

In Jesus, I’ve been set free from sin. Set free means that for the first time I truly have a choice.  

Before, as a slave to sin, there was never any doubt.  I was a sinner; sin was my job description.  It was inevitable.  Jesus set me free from the bondage of sin and death.  

Now, in Jesus, for the first time in my life I’m truly free.  Sin is no longer my master or my defining characteristic.  The question now is, “What will I do with this gift of freedom?“

These early Christians knew that, having received God’s grace, it is only reasonable that I should give my life back to him.  God didn’t devote them. “They devoted themselves…”

The list that follows, teaching, prayer, fellowship, breaking of bread, wasn’t imposed on them with a “This is what all good Christians do…” kind of hint.

“They devoted themselves…”  Filled with God’s love and forgiveness, fully free from their sin bondage and looking ahead to heaven, “They devoted themselves…”

For the first time I actually have a choice!  I’ll ask it again-what will I do with this newfound freedom?

“They devoted themselves…”

• What will I do with this freedom?
• Is there anything I can’t really say “I’ve devoted?”

Pray:
Praise: You alone are Holy.  You alone are Lord.  You alone save from sin.

Confess: Instead of living free in You, I’ve often used my freedom to find more bondage, more ways of being robbed of what You would give me.

Thank: Your Love and Your Grace are know no limits.  Your power to deliver goes far beyond the ways I’ve tried to foul up my life.

Ask: Show me my part in becoming more like You.

Digging Deeper: Galatians 5