Undistracted Devotion

“But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.

But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 7:29-35

What is the greatest competition to your devotion to Jesus Christ? Is it a job, a hobby, another person, or a personal desire? Paul writes that we are to “secure undistracted devotion to the Lord” (1 Cor. 7:35). This means Jesus Christ is to be at the heart of all we do and say. He is our very reason for life.

King David longed to build the first temple; but the Lord chose Solomon, David’s son, for the task. Disappointment did not distract David. Neither did David allow personal desires to damage his relationship with God. His entire life was caught up in undistracted devotion.

The Bible says: “Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord.” In awe and wonder David prayed: “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?” (2 Sam. 7:18). Undistracted devotion means literally to “sit beside God.”

When we talk of devotion to Jesus, we are not talking about a habit or something that makes us feel good on Sundays. We are talking about a growing, intimate love relationship that has one purpose - fellowship with a holy God. It is a way of life, and it is the only way for us to live.

“He is no fool who is willing to lose what he cannot hold in order to gain what he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot