extreme devotion

mike talked about having a fierce devotion to the Lord. the talked about the judgement seat of Christ. only christians will be there. on that day no one will be rebuked, it is only a ceremony for rewards for those who went beyond the marker.

"the only rebuke" mike said, "is a silent rebuke"
he went on to say that some christians will not recieve rewards, and when they stand before Jesus, and nothing is given the will feel the pain of regret. (1 cor. 3:11-15- gold and silver and precious stone endure the fire)
he said true love has regret.
the fact that people will have regret and be sorrowful will be a manifestation of their love to Jesus. mike encouraged us with this, - that we dont have to feel such regret when we arrive at the Judgement Seat of Christ if we dont want to. -
this struck fear in my heart.

my question is, what does "extreme devotion" really look like in God's eyes?
i know there is a difference between man's idea of extreme devotion and God's idea/
i dont think its about how much i fast, or how many books i read, or how long i lock myself in a closet. after all the Pharisees were better at all of those things than us.
and according to matthew 5:20 , our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. but then Jesus says this, "even the least in the kingdom of God will be greater than John the Baptist." wow! Jesus! (Matt 11:11)
obviously Jesus doesnt evaluate us the way we would evaluate ourselves. "many do say in that day 'Lord we did signs and wonders in your name' and he will say ' i never knew you' "

it really does all come down to love.
matthew 23 (right after giving the two commandments )
Jesus says "the greatest among you shall be your servant. whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted"
and then right after that he attacks the Scribes and Pharisees.
==========----------========--------side note--------
---------i'm convinced that the reason Jesus resisted the Pharisees so harshly was because in their hearts they resisted God, not because the had a religious spirit. thus he wanted to confront that resistance to help them see that they were in need of repentance. someone with a religious spirit can still have a yes in their heart towards God, and just be stuck in a relious mindset. i feel many christian (who have been burned by religious people or leaders) are quick to point fingers and accuse their brothers for being a Pharisee because he is still immature in some area's in his walk with God. i know this because i have done it in my heart. i've accused others of not really following God because they had a religious spirit, while i had a log in my eye. i had my own issues, hidden in the darkness.--------------==================--------------------=============

maybe "attacks" is to strong a word, you catch my wind though.
i believe extreme devotion is,
1. first Loving God with as much love is in your heart
a/ story of the talents. take the hunger he has put in your heart and stir it up, and ask the holy Spirit what that looks like. that song misty sings "no matter how small my all may be, i'm giving you all there is to me"
b/ ask God to give you more love for him, so you will have a hunger to go deep in him.
2. Love others with as much love as God has given you
a/ sermon on the mount. love the poor, love the widow, love the orphan, love the white middle class republican christian who likes being comfortable. the struggling christian. LOVE THEM ALL THE SAME

we have to constanly check our heart to make sure to keep the first commandment first. we can never love (agape) people more than we love God, for God is agape. the secound commandment will come out of the overflow of the first
"Lord teach me to love you the way you love me, take me deep in your love"

-his are the broken the needy ones, and he is Love- david crowder