On Making My Dedication Stick
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1)
It is thrilling when people come to receive Christ or to dedicate themselves totally to Him. It is quite normal and healthy to respond when the Holy Spirit deals with our hearts about these matters. Our growth patterns are never simply up, up, up. If you were to make a chart of your spiritual growth, there would be some "fluctuation." Our problems are when the stay in the "valley" experience causes us to begin to live on a lower level than previously. If we can just keep building on "higher plateaus" with each experience, growth is being sustained. When the stay in the "valley" is too long, we sense the need for a refreshing with the Lord. This is often where a public decision can help us.
Here is the concern. Everyone doesn’t get the same help from such decisions. For some it is only an emotional orgy. For some others, it is sincere but they later feel that it leaves them flat. But for many others it is a step toward living for God on a high level. Which will it be for you? To make it a step in the right direction, may I suggest the following:
I. BE SURE OF SALVATION. Be sure your salvation is not based on feeling alone. Feeling is too fickle.
A. Salvation is based on God’s Word
John 1:12-13, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
Romans 3:4, "God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged."
Romans 10:9-13, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
2 Peter 1:4, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
1 John 5:11-13, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
B. Salvation is By God’s Witness
Romans 8:16, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"
1 John 3:24, "And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."
1 John 5:10, "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son."
Galatians 4:6, "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."
II. CLEAN HOUSE THOROUGHLY. Most failure to progress on the highway of Christian growth is due largely to unconfessed sin. With every dedication, there should be a time of "house cleaning" or confession. As we learn to do this we "walk in the light" and can we say we have fellowship with God .
Consider 1 John 1:3-9: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Matthew 5:23-24, "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
A. Sins of omission (Things God commands that I’ve left undone.)
James 4:17, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
B. Sins of commission (Acts or desires committed that are displeasing to God.)
Psalm 51:1-4, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."
C. Sins of disposition (irritable, grouchy, griping, touchy, picky spirit.)
Galatians 5:19-24, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
D. Sins of supposition (Thoughts I supposed people had that make an evil case.)
2 Corinthians 10:4, "(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.)"
Matthew 15:19, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
III. KEEP REGULAR APPOINTMENTS WITH GOD.
A. Prayer – Luke 22:45-46, "And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
B. Bible Study – Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
C. Regular Worship – Hebrews 10:25-25, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
IV. PREPARE TO GUARD YOUR WEAK SPOTS.
Romans 13:14, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."
1 Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Satan attacks our weak points. Avoid situations that encourage these weak spots. Get others to help you. Would any encourage a converted alcoholic to go back into the saloon to "witness" the next day after conversion? Here’s how to guard the weak point.
A. Face them objectively.
B. Keep special watch on them.
C. Avoid situations that encourage them.
V. DEDICATE YOURSELF TO SOME THINGS SPECIFICALLY – A GOAL! Set up for yourself certain things as a specific goal to be reached. Be specific. Here are some to consider.
A. The amount of time to spend with God daily.
B. My talents to certain areas of Christian service.
C. The number of people to share Christ with during a week, month, day.
D. My giving to God’s work.
E. My tongue to speak only what is true, pure, and kind. (James 3)
James 1:26, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."
Ephesians 4:22-29, "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
F. My eyes to only read and watch those things that cause stronger faith and purer mind. Note; Try to fit most television program into Philippians 4:8.
VI. CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF A DAILY COMMITMENT TO GOD and a moment by moment relationship with Him. Daily reaffirm to the Lord that you accept His Lordship (ownership, control) over your life. It does not mean perfection of action primarily, but rather a perfection of intention. Your utmost desire is to please God. Don’t brood over failures, but rather commit yourself to more victory ahead. Remember, though you might lose a few skirmishes, that is no sign you have lost the war.
A. Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Crucifixion of flesh and life through Christ.
B. Romans 6:10-14, "For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." "Reckon" – to render inoperative in my life.
C. 1 Corinthians 15:31, "I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." A daily death – rendering the flesh inoperative, making no place for it.
D. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." Paul’s concern was to keep body and flesh in check.
VII. RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING FILLED OR CONTROLLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT after you have completely surrendered your life to God. The devil did not die. The world, the flesh, and the devil will oppose you.
1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
Ephesians 6:10-12, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
VIII. KEEP YOUR EYES ON CHRIST, NOT ON PEOPLE. Don’t get shocked by things you see and some people you meet in church. Jesus warned us of counterfeits in each of His fields. Since it is so in his, we can expect some in ours.
Matthew 13:24-30, "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."
Matthew 13:36-43, "Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
Luke 23:4, 14, 22, "Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man." "Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverted the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him." "And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go."
What to do about hypocrites and inconsistencies in professing Christians.
A. Expect them.
B. Pray for them.
C. Don’t be shaken up by them.
D. Help them in the love of Christ.
IX. ALWAYS GIVE GOD THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. When you submit all your doubts to God, you always get the benefit. If you are "not sure" of something, always vote or act in God’s favor. You can never go wrong that way.
X. CREATE CLOSE TIES WITH YOUR PASTOR AS YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADER. Doing so makes it easier and more natural to share burdens in crisis experiences. Have you ever spent time together simply to get better acquainted?
XI. DON’T MINIMIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR PRESENCE AND PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC WORSHIP as well has getting involved in programs of the local church. Learn how to pray in church. A boy literally becomes a man when he learns how to take responsibility. Dependability is the greatest of all abilities.
XII. PROGRAM GOD IN EVERY DAY. The Sharing Principle – Begin to share Christ as part of your daily living. Ask God what projects you can put into your own life that will enable you to share Him more effectively. No spiritual development can mature without outreach for Christ. The sharing principle is one of the most important in your Christian life. Any Christian who minimizes it will never mature to spiritual adulthood.
XIII. CONSIDER A BUDDY SYSTEM FOR FELLOWSHIP. Find someone who will become a sounding board for your spiritual life. I suggest it be someone outside your immediate family to whom you can talk in a personal way on a regular basis in confidence, sharing joys, burdens, encouragement, and correction with each other. Become a spiritual check for each other. Christ sent people out two by two for a reason. Consider meeting once a week for one hour or so. Don’t take advantage or become a nuisance to the place where the individual turns into a spiritual crutch. Learn how to face some battles alone between you and God, as well as those that you share. This is also development.
XIV. RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT PEOPLE AS THEY ARE - NOT AS YOU WISH THEY WERE. As brothers and sisters in Christ we are to complement each other as members of the same body. We should seek out and magnify their good qualities and diminish their weak points. When people genuinely sense that you love them for what they are, soon the mutual feeling will amplify the best points in the lives of each of you. It then is amazing that it doesn’t take too long and you begin to see them becoming what you felt they really should be!
XV. LEARN TO SAY "I’M SORRY’ AND ACCEPT THE SAME. Deal immediately with anything you know is not right. Ella Mae Miller says, "The three necessary words in any successful marriage are: "I’m sorry, honey," It must have two ‘H’s’ in it. They are humility and honesty. Walk to the mirror together."
XVI. THE BURDEN BEARING PRINCIPLE MUST BE A VITAL PART OF YOUR LIFE to prevent becoming "ingrown." Be brotherly to Christian brothers and sisters. Don’t only have fellowship with Christians, but have Christian fellowship that centers around Jesus Christ with Christians. Learn to bear each others burdens.
A. Galatians 6:2, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." That is the only way to fulfill the law of Christ.
B. John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." The real way the world will know we are Christ’s disciples is our love.
C. 1 Corinthians 13 – Real love is clearly defined. Notice verse 5 and 7. "Seeketh not her own" "Beareth all things" (not just nice things, but all things.)
Final note: God bless you! Get on with the great adventure of walking with the King of kings and Lord of Life.
All Bible quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.