The Main Pursuit
Ezekiel 33:30-32 provides some pretty direct and challenging words from God,
"As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.' So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them."
I think, for some people, church is almost like going to a concert, especially if the preacher is flashy and the music is great. They are not listening with a view to imbibe God's truth and then put it into practice in their lives.
What is the reason for this disconnect? People are pursuing something else in their hearts. Sure, they are showing up at church, they are listening, they are even saying "amen" at the right time, but they are not applying God's truth to their lives. Why? Because they are pursuing something else in their heart.
This is the same thing that Paul talked to Timothy about in yesterday's devotional. Remember? Like Ezekiel, he said, Their hearts pursue their own gain.
It is very simple: If your focus is on the pursuit of things, your focus will never be on the One who has created all things. It really boils down to this one question: What is the main pursuit of your life?
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