Dedication

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

This past weekend I had been present at what is referred to as a "Baby Dedication" service. This is a symbolic act that many Christian parents and their children will partake in. The purpose of the event is for parents to publicly announce their intent to raise their children as disciples of Christ. Most parents will choose to "dedicate" their children to the LORD some time within their child's infancy. Babies cannot choose to follow Christ, obviously. But the parents' hope is that by the time their children are more mature, they can make a conscious decision on their own to follow Jesus Christ, get baptized, and be His disciple. After all, the Word of God does make it clear in Proverbs 22:6 that when we train up children in the ways of the LORD, they will not depart from Him.

But that's not always true. Sometimes children growing up in Christian households do depart from the ways of the LORD. And it's hard to think about for me sometimes because I have two beautiful children that I wholeheartedly intend on raising to be followers of Christ. Right now they are young, but one day they will be exposed to worldly ideas and people, maybe even close friends and family, who do not see eye-to-eye on what the Bible teaches. It's going to be a challenge and that's why I feel a "Baby Dedication" has to be much more than just a Sunday event at church followed by food and drink. Dedication to Christ needs to be a lifestyle we fully embrace ourselves and spare no effort impressing upon our children.

One definition of the word "dedication" means self-sacrificing devotion and loyalty. These are some pretty strong words that we should reflect upon. What comes to mind in your life when you think of self-sacrificing devotion? Some people may be so devoted to their careers that they will sacrifice their lifestyle, location, and time with their family. Others may be so devoted to their football team that they will go shirtless to a game during the middle of winter so they can paint their body with team colors. Maybe you're not as extreme? Self-sacrificing devotion might be an invisible (and possibly harmful) quality in some - for example, devotion to justifying certain behaviors at the expense of your own health, happiness and salvation.

The Bible shares the devotion and dedication of the early church as fearless men and women giving up their careers, their safety, and their comfort to spread the message of the Gospel. They were living with the same instruction from Christ we have been given - to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations. What I see in myself, which I am sure is true for many Christians, is that we place limitations on how much we are willing to dedicate, devote and sacrifice ourselves for the LORD. We might read the Word of God, but only after we do this, that and the other thing. We will serve God, but maybe only if there will be refreshments afterwards. We will join a Life Group, but only if I can find one close to my house and at a certain time and with a certain type of people. We might share God with others, but only if they ask us to and never at work, lest we disrespect others' beliefs and jeopardize our professionalism.

I remember years ago I sat with a fellow believer and began sharing how my decision to serve as a High School Mentor was taking up more time and energy than I had expected. Rather than appease me and suggest I take some time off or find another way to serve, he shared this...

"As believers we will often say and talk about doing big things for God and making sacrifices for him, but when it comes time to actually make those sacrifices, we start to second guess what we got ourselves involved in."

This changed my entire perspective on dedication and how I was serving God. It reminded me that Jesus paid a heavy price for my sins and that I too, must pay a price to follow Him. The price we are asked to pay may not be what we expect and it often will not be one that we can pay easily. So when we make a conscious decision to follow Christ, we need to ask ourselves, "How far am I willing to go? How important is my salvation? How important is Jesus to me?" The apostle Peter was convinced that he would follow Jesus at any cost. But when Jesus was taken prisoner by the Sanhedrin and handed over to the Romans for execution, Peter was quick to deny his involvement with Christ - twice and once to a little girl! He didn't expect what he saw happening.

I have never participated in a Spartan Race or Tough Mudder or any type of endurance competition. But I would imagine there are many people that halfway through think to themselves, "What did I get myself involved in?" We need to be willing to get muddy and take risks for Jesus because ultimately, the Gospel is at enmity with the world. The Word of God states that our preaching will make disciples, but it will also make enemies. If we plan on raising our children to be God-fearing believers, then we too must be equally God-fearing and not give in to the fear of man.

And that is why I think it's important we share this with our children and anyone else we are looking to disciple. Our kids need to know that following God is not popular. Following God is not trendy. Following God is a straight and narrow path - but it's the only path that leads to eternal life. What could be worse than holding back these truths and giving those we love and care about a false sense of security and comfort? God is gracious and He will forgive your sins if you ask Him, but He is also just and will repay everyone according to their works. Jesus makes it clear to anyone looking to dedicate their lives to Him, we must all count the cost...

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:28-33)