The Devotion We Dare Not Neglect
William Law’s piercing words call us to self-examination:
“If you will stop here and ask yourself why you are not so devoted as the primitive Christians, your own heart will tell you that it is neither through ignorance and inability, but purely because you never thoroughly intended it.”
His challenge is inescapable – he places responsibility for our lack of devotion squarely upon our own desires and intentions. This is a deeply unsettling thought, for it suggests that our spiritual stagnation isn’t due to external hindrances or intellectual deficiencies but to a failure of the will. We’re as holy as we truly desire to be.
Jesus himself confronted this reality when he lamented over Jerusalem, saying, “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matt. 23:37). The issue wasn’t Christ’s ability to save or his willingness to gather; it was the people’s unwillingness to come to him. Likewise, our own lack of spiritual vitality isn’t due to an absence of God’s grace but to our reluctance to fully yield to it.
A Burning Heart
Certainly, we must account for our fallen nature. Jesus acknowledged this when he told his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41). Paul, too, wrestled with this tension, confessing in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” There’s a war within us, but this doesn’t absolve us from the call to holiness. It merely highlights our desperate need for the Spirit’s power to overcome the flesh.
J.C. Ryle once wrote, “Holiness is not merely a feeling – it is the end to which every believer is called.” Yet how often do we excuse our lack of progress by appealing to our circumstances? We convince ourselves that we would pray more if we had more time, that we would read Scripture more if we were less busy, that we would seek holiness if only the path were easier. But these are self-deceptions. The truth is, as one writer put it, “We do what we want to do.” If we truly desired holiness above all else, it would be evident in our choices.
Why Are We Not More Devoted?
Our lives reveal our priorities. Jesus said, “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16). If our devotion is weak, it isn’t due to ignorance but to a misaligned heart. This is the danger of half-hearted discipleship – when our intentions are divided, our devotion falters. Richard Baxter warned, “A holy life is not a life of convenience; it is a life of resolve.” We must ask ourselves: Have we resolved to pursue holiness, or are we merely hoping it happens by accident?
In practical terms, this means reassessing our daily patterns. Law’s challenge applies not just to grand acts of faithfulness but to the small, hidden disciplines of devotion – rising early for prayer, making time for Scripture, ordering our lives around Christ rather than fitting him into the margins. The spiritual giants of history were not born with greater capacity for devotion; they simply intended to be wholly Christ’s.
The Spirit Is Willing
John Wesley exemplified this resolve. Despite his rocky start, his rigorous discipline and passionate pursuit of holiness shaped the Methodist movement. His life was marked not by legalism but by love for God. He understood that true devotion isn’t merely about self-discipline but about being set aflame by the Spirit. He famously prayed, “O Lord, let me not live to be useless!” May we have the same heart – a burning desire to be useful in the Kingdom, set apart for God’s glory.
Yet, we must remember that holiness isn’t a human achievement but a divine work. The early Christians, whom Law extols, weren’t merely disciplined – they were Spirit-filled. Pentecost was the difference. The primitive church lived with such devotion because they were utterly surrendered to the Holy Spirit. This is the key: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zech. 4:6).
Known by Our Fruit
So, the question before us is this: Do we truly intend to be holy? Have we resolved in our hearts, by the Spirit’s power, to pursue Christ with everything in us? If we say yes, it must be reflected in our lives. Oswald Chambers wrote, “The proof that we are rightly related to God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.” This is the devotion of the saints – their intention wasn’t fleeting emotion but unwavering commitment. I’m not there yet, but I want to be. Will I do what it takes to move in that direction? Will you?
Walking in Devotion
What, then, must we do? First, we must repent of half-heartedness, confessing where we’ve let other priorities displace Christ. Second, we must seek the Spirit’s power, for only he can give us new desires and sustain our pursuit of holiness. Third, we must resolve anew to walk in obedience, structuring our lives around God’s presence rather than fitting him into our schedules.
William Law’s words remain a mirror for us today. Our devotion isn’t stunted by inability but by unwillingness. May we be found among that “goodly fellowship of the saints,” fully intending to be wholly Christ’s, walking in the Spirit, and bearing fruit that testifies to the reality of our faith.
Questions for Personal Reflection
- What areas of your life reveal a lack of true intention in pursuing holiness? Where have you been content with mediocrity?
- How does your daily schedule reflect your priorities? What would change if Christ were truly your highest desire?
- In what ways do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit to strengthen your resolve for deeper devotion?
Walking Points
- This week, commit to a specific act of devotion – whether setting aside time for prayer, fasting, or serving others – that reflects your desire to grow in holiness.
- Ask the Lord to expose areas where your intentions and actions don’t align, and seek the Spirit’s power to make necessary changes.
Thank you for joining me today. My hope is that you were encouraged and blessed by reflecting on this passage. You can discover more devotionals, Bible studies, and other resources by clicking here: Walking Points. If you found this study helpful, please consider sharing it with others and encouraging them to subscribe as well.
