Can you be called devout? The definition of devout: heartfelt; spiritual; fervent; pious; dedicated and committed.
When the Scriptures speak about someone who is devout, they are giving recognition and praise to such individuals.
. . . a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. (Ac 10:2)
Alms means donations, gifts, or offerings. This verse from the Bible says a devout man gave donations and gifts generously to people, AND he prayed to God continuously. That sounds very spiritually impressive, doesn’t it?
And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. (Ac 2:5)
Notice that devout men (and women) can and should come from everywhere on the earth!
Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. (Ac 13:43)
A proselyte is a person who has converted from one opinion, religion, or party to another. These new converts followed Paul and Barnabas around, learning from them and wanting to spend time with them. Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch where Paul’s teachings about Jesus were well-received by some of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. So, when Paul explains God’s salvation has come through Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, the listeners joyfully realize that formal worship in Jerusalem isn’t required or necessary. God will meet them wherever they are, and be with them without sacrifices of any kind.
Paul and Barnabas encouraged these devout new converts to continue in the grace of God and to remain in His favor. They encouraged the new believers to carry on in faith and prayer, and obedience which would be connecting with God’s favor. The “gospel” is called the grace (favor) of God, and the new converts were exhorted to persevere in their connection to the gospel by continuing in faith to trust in Jesus.
If we all would like to be categorized as devout, then we should continue in the grace of God also. God bless you.
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