Dedicate Yourself to God
Today’s passage (Exo 32:29) explains how the tribe of Levi became the priestly tribe, emphasizing that it was their dedication that set them apart. In Hebrew, the phrase Dedicate yourselves is ‘Mil’u Yedekhem’, meaning “to fill your hands.”
Although the tribe of Levi began under Jacob’s curse due to their misuse of God’s holy rite of circumcision for personal revenge, they later repented. They waited for an opportunity to dedicate themselves fully to God’s work, allowing their hands to be filled not with personal matters but with God’s tasks. This act of dedication transformed them into the tribe of temple workers and priests, blessed to serve before God.
Today, we will explore the biblical perspective on the attitude of dedication.
- Dedication: An Attitude of Sacrificing Himself
In Chinese, the word for dedication is “献身”, which means “offering one’s body.” Dedication, therefore, involves a willingness to sacrifice.
Salt’s primary role is to enhance the flavour of food, but in doing so, it dissolves and disappears. If it refuses to dissolve, some parts will remain bland while others are too salty, failing to benefit the whole (Matthew 5:13).
Church leadership is different from worldly leadership. In the world, leaders are chosen for their skills and ability to command others, ensuring efficiency. But in the church, leaders are chosen for their willingness to sacrifice.
Jesus Himself demonstrated this by washing His disciples’ feet, showing that even a teacher sacrifices to serve His followers. He called us to follow His example (John 13:12-15).
Jesus warned against the Pharisees, who placed heavy burdens on others while doing nothing themselves. They were all just talking and without actions, seeking only recognition (Matthew 23:1-6).
Dear beloved, dedication without sacrifice is mere hypocrisy. Jesus taught that true greatness lies in serving others. May we become people who humbly sacrifice and dedicate ourselves to God’s service (Matthew 23:11-12). In the name of the Lord, I bless you to be dedicated servants who embody true sacrifice.
- Dedication: An Attitude of Striving to Gather
Luke 17:21 “Nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Jesus said the kingdom of God is among you. The word ‘you’ here is plural, meaning, “among you all.” In other words, where believers gather, the kingdom of God is present. The writer of Hebrews also warns us not to neglect meeting together as some have made a habit of doing so.
Hebrew 10:25 “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
The highlights that gathering is a fundamental aspect of the church. No matter how strong one’s faith is or how much one knows the Bible, an individual alone cannot be the church.
Even in the early churches, some rejected the need to gather, thinking that personal faith alone was sufficient. In today’s world, with the rise of individualism and post-pandemic habits, many prefer solitude, avoiding face-to-face interactions.
However, the church must gather. Online meetings cannot replace it, nor can solitary worship. Jesus Himself promised to be present when we gather in His name,
Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
There is a saying: “Small sparks together create a great fire.” If we want our church to grow and be filled with intimacy with God, we must willing to be that small spark.
Dear beloved, we must be dedicated to gather together. Let us be willing to arrive early and stay late, devoting ourselves fully to the community of faith.
- Dedication: An Attitude of Striving to Spread
Lastly, dedication requires a focus on the mission of spreading the gospel. The church’s mission does not disappear simply because it is small. The call to mission is for every community that believes in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
If building the church means gathering together, missions mean scattering. Mission work cannot be accomplished by simply sitting in church, waiting for people to walk in. We must take the gospel outside the church. We must go to where people are in need, where prayer is needed, where light is needed.
Let us be dedicated to both gathering together and scattering to serve. May we, as followers of Christ, embrace both roles with joy and devotion.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 