And they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.1
Evidently, the root word for devoted is vote. Intuitively, if you are to use an apt synonym for vote, ‘choose’ would be the word. More synonyms for devote would be dedicate, consecrate, hallow.2 Also, devotion is defined as love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.3
“What made the early church vibrant and healthy was their devotion to God. Because they [chose] to grow in their relationship with Him, they developed disciplines that expressed this [choice].”4
By being intentional, consistently seeking, and communing with God and his children, you may expect to reap his promises. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.5 Among others, God assures you with the following:
Identity. Those who are in Christ are first and foremost Christians. You are not the title or position that you have. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.6 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.7
Vision. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.8 You have the mind of Christ.9
Purpose. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”10 The general call to all Christians is to go and make disciples; the specific call would be for you to devote yourself to the task that you have for God’s glory. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.11
Notes:
1. Acts 2:42
2. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/devote#synonyms
3. Google Dictionary, devotion, noun
4. One-2-One, Chapter 5, Devotion. Substituted the words ‘were devoted’ and ‘devotion’ for chose and choice, respectively
5. Jeremiah 29:12
6. 1 Peter 2:9-10
7. 1 Peter 2:16
8. Joel 2:28-29
9. 1 Corinthians 2:16
10. Matthew 28:18-20
11. Colossians 3:23
