What’s Most Important

READ

All too often, we get caught up in "doing things for God." Our faith becomes a series of tasks to complete, rather than a loving, intimate relationship with the God who made us.

Though our faith must express itself through good works, God wants our hearts—not just our behavior. He doesn't simply want to dictate our decisions—He wants true friendship and intimacy with us.

Above all else, God wants us to love Him.

Gaining knowledge about Him and serving His church are essential parts of the Christian life, but our activity is meaningless if it is not grounded in, and motivated by, our affection for Him.

Let's take a moment to read Matthew 22:36-38:

"'Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?'

Jesus answered him, 'Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.' This is the great and supreme commandment."

REFLECT

Before Christ ever tells us to do anything, He asks us to direct our affections toward Him.

Without genuine love for God, the rest of our activity—our serving, teaching, encouraging, and giving—is worthless.

When our outward expressions of faith do not grow out of an inward passion for God, we end up doing the right things for all the wrong reasons, and inevitably, those we're called to love are harmed as a result.

Our religious activity can easily become motivated by our desire to gain acceptance, approval, or a pristine reputation. When love for God is displaced from the center of our spiritual life, we can end up instrumentalizing those we serve—giving them our time, attention, and energy so that we feel gratified. We become bitter or disillusioned when those we love do not appreciate us or give us the thanks we believe we are due.

Conversely, when love for God drives our religious activity, practicing spiritual disciplines becomes an act of authentic worship rather than a vanity project or joyless obligation. Even when the Holy Spirit instructs us to do what we least want to do, we can step boldly into obedience, trusting that the God who gave His life for us is the same God who lovingly guides our every step.

If we let pride drive our faith, we'll end up glorifying ourselves rather than our King, putting ourselves at the center and displacing Christ and our neighbors from the top of our priority list.

If fear drives our faith, we'll keep God's laws in a fruitless, exhausting effort to earn acceptance that has already been given to us through Christ. We'll be overwhelmed with anxiety when we fall short, rather than overcome with gratitude over how totally we've been forgiven.

If duty drives our faith, we'll relate to God as a heavenly taskmaster rather than enjoying Him as the Father and Friend He is. Our spiritual life will shrink to a checklist, and we'll approach people as projects to complete rather than neighbors to love.

Love for God is the only appropriate engine for Christian devotion.

So today, invite your heart to turn toward God. Ground yourself in the truth of who He is, and allow yourself to marvel in awe of His beauty and grace.

This affection—not your wisdom, strength, or discipline—will fuel a fruitful life of worship.

RESPOND

Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.

• Do you tend to focus more on loving and enjoying God, or doing things for Him?

• What currently drives your faith—pride, fear, duty, or love? How might your faith look different if love for God were its true engine?

REST

Take a moment to rest in God's presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:

Gracious God, thank You for inviting me into a loving relationship with You. Remind me that this faith is not about doing more, but learning to love You rightly. Lord, let my affection for You guide my conduct, rather than my pride, fear, or sense of duty. Empower me to love and serve Your people, not to boost my ego or assuage my existential anxieties, but because I love You. Help me to practice my faith in tangible ways, not merely because I feel obligated to, but because I trust in Your goodness and care for me and all Your people. Amen.

Port City writer Kate Redenbaugh wrote today’s devotional.