“Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. ² For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. ³ But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

 

This was the letter of the apostle Paul to the church at Corinth. The word ‘betroths’ there simply means to give in marriage. But verse three showed us the apostle Paul concerns about the church at Corinth. It says: But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” Now, my emphasis in those verses is actually in the latter part of that verse 3 which says: “...so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” What exactly does this mean? What is the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus? What does it mean, what does it suggest, what does it connote? If you read in the Amplified version, it shows us what it means. It says:

 

“I wish you would bear with me [while I indulge] in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me [as you read this]. ² I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy because I have promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. ³ But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ.”

 

2 Corinthians 11:1-3 (NKJV, AMP)

 

So, the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus, actually is talking about our pure devotion to Christ Jesus. So, Paul said that he is afraid lest Satan beguile our minds from the simplicity, the sincere and pure devotion that is in Christ Jesus.

 

The primary tenet or principle of discipleship is devotion to Christ Jesus. Every discipleship exercise that does not emphasize devotion to Christ Jesus is at best a charade or a waste of time, it is not the real thing. True and authentic discipleship emphasizes one thing and one thing alone: Devotion to Christ Jesus. When you remove devotion from discipleship, there is actually no discipleship again. To ultimately become like the discipler or Christ Jesus, our devotion is actually where the becoming lies. So, you can’t take away devotion from discipleship and you cannot subtract discipleship from devotion. The two must actually go together in tandem. Devotion is equal to discipleship, discipleship is equal to devotion and the two variables added together, leads to becoming like Christ Jesus. Devotion to Christ is the juice and nutrients of discipleship.

 

2 Corinthians 5:12-15 shows us what devotion to Christ simply mean. Now, look at what the apostle Paul said again. It says:

 

“For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. ¹³ For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

 

Did we understand something fundamental from that place? It says He died for us so that those who live, they no longer live for themselves. So, in other words, as disciples and Disciplers, we no longer live for ourselves but to Him (Christ Jesus) who died for us and then rose again. So, what exactly does devotion to Christ simply means? It simply means to live for Christ Jesus alone. That is exactly what we do in devotion. Our life is in Christ Jesus. Don’t forget that Scripture that says “our life is hid in Christ Jesus.”

 

Why is it important that we live for Christ Jesus alone as disciples? Because He died for us and His love for us compels us to be devoted to Him. So, when we are talking about discipleship in the kingdom, it is centered around that exercise takes us wholly and makes us to focus on Christ Jesus.

 

If you read from verse 14-15 again, it says: For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; ¹⁵ and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

 

TESTS OF OUR DEVOTION TO CHRIST JESUS AS DISCIPLES

 

LOVE

Every true devotion to Christ Jesus as disciples is from the foundation of our love for Him. If there is no true love in your heart for Christ Jesus, you will not be devoted to Him. IN DISCIPLESHIP and DEVOTION TO CHRIST, OUR LOVE FOR CHRIST IS THE DRIVING FORCE.

 

John 21:1-5, 15-17

 

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: ² Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. ⁴ But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”

 

“So, when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”

 

PRIORITY

 

In discipleship and devotion to Christ Jesus, CHRIST JESUS MUST BE OUR first PRIORITY. There may be many other priorities no doubt, but none of them must be able to replace our priority to Christ. For examples, the disciples left their all (families, business, friends and acquittances to follow Christ Jesus).

 

Luke 14:25-33

 

“Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, ²⁶ “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. ²⁸ For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— ²⁹ lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, ³⁰ saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? ³¹ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³² Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. ³³ So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

 

3. FOCUS ON THE ASSIGNMENT

 

In discipleship, our devotion is tested on the basis of how focused we are on the assignment that Christ Jesus has given to us. We know already what the assignment is. Jesus said we should go to the whole world and make disciples of all nations. How focused we are on this assignment is a test of our devotion to Christ Jesus.

 

Mattew 24:45-51

 

⁴⁵ “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. ⁴⁷ Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. ⁴⁸ But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ ⁴⁹ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, ⁵⁰ the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, ⁵¹ and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

4. UNWAVERING FOLLOWERSHIP

 

A test of our devotion to Christ Jesus as disciples is our ability and desire to follow Him at all cost whether it is convenient or not. Followership is not done when it is convenient alone. There are those who would follow Christ for as long as it is convenient for them. The moment it is no longer convenient, they stop following.

 

Mark 10:17-22

 

“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” ²⁰ And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” ²¹ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” ²² But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

 

5. PRAYER

 

Another test of our devotion to Christ is our willingness to communicate to God through Him. When we pray as disciples, it simply means we are dependent on God absolutely and that we do not have any other object and subject of devotion outside of Him.

 

Matthew 6:5-13

 

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. ⁷ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

 

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

 

 

May the Lord help us in Jesus’ name. I want us to pray and say “Lord, increase my devotion to you in the name of Jesus. Don’t let me spend any day of my life outside of you, let my devotion to you increase more and more.

Thanks for the gift of your time, We are Obayomi Abiola Benjamin and Gboyega ADEDEJI!

Feel free to share your thoughts or testimony in the comment box below. I promise to respond to them as soon as possible!