Intense devotion to God by the individual or group brings substantial outward success. Outward success brings a sense of accomplishment and a sense of responsibility for what has been achieved--and for further achievement. For onlookers the outward success is the whole thing. The sense of accomplishment and responsibility reorients vision away from God to what we are doing and are to do--usually to the applause and support of sympathetic people.....

This is the point at which service to Christ replaces love for Christ.

Dallas Willard. THE GREAT OMISSION.