“The Fine Print”: Devotion

This article is part of a series written by the Rev. Barton Gingerich entitled “The Fine Print”: Common-sense Expectations for Church Membership.

We were made to worship God. We assemble together on Sunday–the Lord’s Day on which He rose bodily from the dead–to call upon His holy name and to be blessed by Him in the ministry of Word and sacrament. God wants us to know about Him and to know Him on a personal level. Of course, we seek to know those whom we love. And we can come to know through communication with someone, which generally entails attention, intention, and time. So it is with God. 

Therefore, the habit of daily prayer and Bible reading remains a key ingredient to greater Christian maturity. Saint after saint will tell you that there is a night and day difference between regular prayer and meditation upon God’s Word and its neglect. For Anglicans, we have the added benefit of the Book of Common Prayer, which provides us with a means to everyday devotion, whether in the Daily Offices or, in the American Prayer Book, the Order of Family Prayer. And, where reading is not possible, audio resources have become available. My two favorites at the moment can be found here and here.

These daily devotions fit into a wider pattern of both weekly corporate worship and the whole church year, with its various feasts and fasts. The more personal or individual forms of devotion complement and find their culmination in a corporate Christian life. For Anglicans, we prize not only the Daily Offices, Litany, and other times of prayer together, but we also have a shared life of sacramental worship. Baptism is never a solo affair, and neither is the Lord’s Supper. These are had in context of a corporate gathering and the presence of men in holy orders (emergency baptisms aside). Likewise, there are other important rites that find their origin in Holy Writ and mark important milestones in a Christian’s life: things like pastoral counsel and absolution, confirmation, matrimony, the churching of women, anointing the sick, ordination, and burials. All of these are found in some way in the Prayer Book, yes, but, just as importantly, they are never truly individualistic in nature. They are corporate in nature, because the Church is truly the Temple and Body of Christ. Partaking of Christ, particularly in the two sacraments instituted by our Lord for the remission of sins, is absolutely fundamental and essential to Christianity. Sadly, too many church members fail to hold these means of grace in proper esteem, to render unto them an appropriate honor, or to receive them eagerly, joyfully, and thankfully. 

But just because we participate in these corporate forms of devotion does not mean we get to neglect our daily walk with Christ, particularly in reading the Scriptures and praying every day. Something very important will be lacking in our discipleship.

What we must realize is that there is a conflict going on here. The world, the flesh, and the devil attempt to undermine the quest for holiness. They try to pry us away from God with seductions and persecutions. We find ourselves bombarded by worldly patterns and opinions if we but have the eyes to see. Our spiritual nemeses wish us to conform to such patterns and opinions.

Failing to resist such temptations results in worldly Christians who confess the name of Christ with mere lip service but in reality suffer devastating spiritual immaturity, foolishness, and vice. Worldly Christians think and act like the rest of the fallen rebellious world. They do not exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is yielded by the new life in Christ. This shames the name of Christ in the eyes of the world, and it is the world that the Church must win for Christ as per the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).

Yet many church members act as if such a spiritual war is not on, or they do not take the practical steps necessary to avoid a fate of worldliness. St. Paul instructs us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). One of the fundamental needs for the renewal of the Christian’s mind is his daily devotional life, coupled with regular congregational worship. In a literate society such as ours, daily devotion not only involves personal prayer but also the reading of Scripture. God is important, and He is worth our time and attention. Even those weighed down by a difficult, hectic life can establish some regular habits of daily worship. After all, most people find time for their hobbies or digital entertainment. May we make time for God, Who made time and grants us all our days.

Church members that do not engage in daily devotion will often fail to realize how foolish and sinful they really are or how wondrous, awesome, glorious, and gracious God really is. Oftentimes, this can stem from pride (“I have more important things to do”), sloth (“It’s too hard, and I don’t want to make the sacrifices necessary to establish this habit”), or even profound ignorance (“No one ever told me I needed to do this”). Whatever the reason, the problem of devotional neglect must be addressed. 

In time, regular devotions will make a night-and-day difference with regard to how one lives, including as a member of the Church. He should interact differently with his pastors and with his fellow laymen. He should glean more from the pulpit. He should appreciate more of what he sings. Everything will be seen in a new light. In other words, he will be a disciple, studiously heeding and copying the example of his Master, Jesus Christ. 

Attached to this is fellowship with other Christians and Christian service. We are all called to love one another and serve one another, all while living together in the light of truth (John 13; 1 John). Christianity is not just a matter of correct opinions rolling about in our heads. It is a life redeemed–a lively faith that manifests the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is a way of life, the way of discipleship in which we take up our crosses to follow Jesus.

A refusal to engage in discipleship leaves everyone frustrated. Faithful pastors in particular see it as their duty to disciple those under their charge. They feel nothing but heartache at the sight of disengaged laymen. And laymen are missing out on the greatest thing on offer: a shared life with and in Christ, as a member of His Body.