Lesson 46 Explore 2: Why Dedicate Yourself to Jehovah?
“This night there stood near me an angel of the God to whom I belong.”-
(Acts 27.23: This night an angel of the God to whom I belong and to whom I render sacred service stood by me)
1. What steps have those presenting themselves for baptism already taken, and what questions does this raise?
“ON THE basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?” This is one of the two questions answered by baptismal candidates at the conclusion of a baptism talk. Why do Christians need to dedicate themselves to Jehovah? How does being dedicated to God benefit us? Why can one not worship God acceptably without being dedicated to him? To understand the answers, we first need to consider what dedication is.
2. What does it mean to dedicate oneself to Jehovah?
2. What does dedicating oneself to God mean? Note how the apostle Paul described his relationship with God. Before many others aboard an imperiled ship, he called Jehovah “the God to whom I belong.”
Read Acts 27.22-24: Still, I now urge you to take courage, for not one of you will be lost, only the ship will. This night an angel of the God to whom I belong and to whom I render sacred service stood by me and said: ‘Have no fear, Paul. You must stand before Caesar, and look! God has granted to you all those sailing with you.’
All true Christians belong to Jehovah. In contrast, the world in general is “lying in the power of the wicked one.”
(1 John 5.19: We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.)
Christians come to belong to Jehovah when they make an acceptable dedication of themselves to him in prayer. Such a dedication is a personal vow. It is followed by water baptism.
3. What did Jesus’ baptism symbolize, and how can his followers imitate his example?
3. Jesus provided an example for us when he made a personal choice to do God’s will. Because he had been born into the dedicated nation of Israel, he was already dedicated to God. Still, at his baptism he did something more than what was required under the Law. God’s Word indicates that he said: “Look! I am come... to do your will, O God.”
(Hebrews 10.7: Then I said: ‘Look! I have come (in the scroll it is written about me) to do your will, O God.’”)
(Luke 3.21: Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus too was baptized. As he was praying, the heaven was opened up,)
So Jesus’ baptism symbolized his presentation of himself to God for the doing of his Father’s will. His followers imitate his example when they offer themselves for baptism. However, in their case, water baptism is a public demonstration that they have made a personal dedication to God in prayer.
How Dedication Benefits Us
4. What does the friendship between David and Jonathan tell us about commitment?
4. Christian dedication is a serious matter. It is more than a mere commitment. How, though, does making a dedication benefit us? By way of comparison, let us consider how making a commitment in human relationships brings benefits. One example is friendship. To enjoy the privilege of having a friend, you have to accept the responsibility of being a friend. That involves a commitment-you feel an obligation to care about your friend. One of the most outstanding friendships described in the Bible is that of David and Jonathan. They even made a covenant of friendship with each other.
Read 1 Samuel 17.57: So as soon as David returned from striking down the Philistine, Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
1 Samuel 18.1: As soon as David had finished speaking to Saul, Jonathan and David became bound together in close friendship, and Jonathan began to love him as himself.
1 Samuel 18.3: And Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as himself.
Although friendships with that level of commitment are rare, most friendships flourish when companions are committed, or feel some obligation, to each other.-
(Proverbs 17.17: A true friend shows love at all times And is a brother who is born for times of distress.)
(Proverbs 18.24: There are companions ready to crush one another, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.)
5. How could a slave permanently benefit from belonging to a good master?
5. The Law that God gave to Israel describes another relationship in which people benefited by making a commitment. If a slave wanted the security of belonging permanently to a good master, he could enter a permanent and binding agreement with him. The Law states: “If the slave should insistently say, ‘I really love my master, my wife and my sons; I do not want to go out as one set free,’ then his master must bring him near to the true God and must bring him up against the door or the doorpost; and his master must pierce his ear through with an awl, and he must be his slave to time indefinite.”-
(Exodus 21.5, 6: But if the slave should insist and say, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my sons; I do not want to be set free,’ his master must bring him before the true God. Then he will bring him up against the door or the doorpost, and his master will pierce his ear through with an awl, and he will be his slave for life.)
6, 7. (a) How does commitment benefit people? (b) What does that indicate about our relationship with Jehovah?
6. Marriage is a relationship that requires a high level of commitment. It is a commitment, not to a contract, but to a person. Two people who merely live together without getting married can never enjoy real security; neither can their children. But partners who are committed to each other in honorable marriage have an impelling Scriptural reason for striving to resolve their difficulties with love when problems arise.-
(Matthew 19.5, 6: and said: ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’? So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together, let no man put apart.”)
(1 Corinthians 13.7, 8: It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with.)
(Hebrews 13.4: Let marriage be honorable among all, and let the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers.)
7. In Bible times, people benefited from having binding contracts in business and employment.
(Matthew 20.1, 2: “For the Kingdom of the heavens is like the master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. After he had agreed with the workers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.)
(Matthew 20.8: “When evening came, the master of the vineyard said to his man in charge, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last and ending with the first.’)
Today, the same holds true. For example, we benefit from having a binding written agreement, or written contract, before we begin a business venture or start working as an employee in a company. Hence, if commitment enhances relationships such as friendship, marriage, and employment, how much more will making an unreserved dedication benefit you in your relationship with Jehovah! Let us now consider how people in the past have benefited from being dedicated to Jehovah God and how this was far more than just a commitment.
How Dedication to God Benefited Israel
8. What did being dedicated to God mean for Israel?
8. The nation of Israel as a whole became dedicated to Jehovah when they made a vow to God. Jehovah had them assemble near Mount Sinai, and he said to them: “If you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then you will certainly become my special property out of all other peoples.” The people answered unanimously: “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do.”
(Exodus 19.4-8: ‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to the Egyptians, in order to carry you on wings of eagles and bring you to myself. Now if you will strictly obey my voice and keep my covenant, you will certainly become my special property out of all peoples, for the whole earth belongs to me. You will become to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.” So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people and declared to them all these words that Jehovah had commanded him. After that all the people answered unanimously: “All that Jehovah has spoken, we are willing to do.” Moses immediately took the people’s response to Jehovah.)
Being dedicated meant much more for Israel than being committed to do something. It meant that they belonged to Jehovah, and Jehovah treated them as his “special property.”
9. How did Israel benefit from being dedicated to God?
9. The Israelites benefited from belonging to Jehovah. He was loyal and cared for them as a loving parent cares for a child. To Israel, God said: “Can a wife forget her suckling so that she should not pity the son of her belly? Even these women can forget, yet I myself shall not forget you.”
(Isaiah 49.15: Can a woman forget her nursing child Or have no compassion for the son of her womb? Even if these women forget, I would never forget you.)
Jehovah gave them the guidance of the Law, the encouragement of the prophets, and the protection of the angels. A psalmist wrote: “He is telling his word to Jacob, his regulations and his judicial decisions to Israel. He has not done that way to any other nation.”
(Psalm 147.19, 20: He declares his word to Jacob, His regulations and judgments to Israel. He has not done so with any other nation; They know nothing about his judgments. Praise Jah!)
Read Psalm 34.7: The angel of Jehovah camps all around those fearing Him, And he rescues them.
Read Psalm 34.19: Many are the hardships of the righteous one, But Jehovah rescues him from them all.
Read Psalm 48.14: For this God is our God forever and ever. He will guide us forevermore.
As Jehovah cared for the nation that belonged to him in the past, so he will care for those who dedicate themselves to him today.
Why We Should Dedicate Ourselves to God
10, 11. Are we born into God’s universal family? Explain.
10. While contemplating Christian dedication and baptism, some may wonder, ‘Why can I not worship God without dedicating myself to him?’ The reason becomes clear when we consider the reality of our present standing before God. Remember, because of Adam’s sin, we are all born outside God’s family.
(Romans 3.23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,)
(Romans 5.12: That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned—.)
Dedicating ourselves to God is a vital requirement for being accepted into his universal family. Let us see why.
11. None of us have a natural father who could pass on to us life as it should be-perfect life.
(1 Timothy 6.19: safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, so that they may get a firm hold on the real life.)
We were not born as sons of God because when the first human pair sinned, the human race was separated from its loving Father and Creator. (Compare )
(Deuteronomy 32.5: They are the ones who have acted corruptly. They are not his children, the defect is their own. They are a crooked and twisted generation!)
From that time onward, the world of mankind has lived outside Jehovah’s universal family, alienated from God.
12. (a) How can imperfect humans become members of God’s family? (b) What steps must we take prior to baptism?
12. Nevertheless, as individuals we can request that God accept us into his family of approved servants. How is that possible for sinners such as we are? The apostle Paul wrote: “When we were enemies, we became reconciled to God through the death of his Son.”
(Romans 5.10: For if when we were enemies we became reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more we will be saved by his life, now that we have become reconciled.)
At baptism we make a request to God for a good conscience so as to be acceptable to him.
(1 Peter 3.21: Baptism, which corresponds to this, is also now saving you (not by the removing of the filth of the flesh, but by the request to God for a good conscience), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.)
Prior to baptism, however, there are steps we must take. We must get to know God, learn to trust him, repent, and change our ways.
(John 17.3: This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.)
(Acts 3.19: “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, so that seasons of refreshing may come from Jehovah himself)
(Hebrews 11.6: Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.)
And something else remains to be done before we can be accepted into God’s family. What is that?
13. Why is it fitting for a person to make a vow of dedication to God in order to be part of His family of approved worshippers?
13. Before someone who is alienated from God can become a member of God’s family of approved servants, he first needs to make a solemn promise to Jehovah. To understand why, imagine a respectable father who shows kind interest in an orphaned youth and wishes to adopt him as a member of his own family. The father is known to be a good man. Still, before accepting the youth as his son, the man wants the boy to make a promise. So the man says, “Before I accept you as a son, I need to know that you will love and respect me as your father.” Only if the youth is willing to make a solemn promise will the man admit him into his family. Is that not reasonable? Similarly, Jehovah accepts into his family only those who are willing to make a vow of dedication to him. The Bible says: “Offer your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for his acceptance.”- The New English Bible.
(Romans 12.1: Therefore, I appeal to you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason.)
An Act of Love and Faith
14. In what way is dedication an expression of love?
14. Making a vow of dedication to God is an expression of our heartfelt love for Jehovah. In some ways it is similar to a wedding vow. A Christian bridegroom expresses his love by vowing to be loyal to his bride, come what may. It is a pledge to a person rather than merely a promise to do something. A Christian bridegroom understands that he could not have the privilege of living with his bride if he would not make a marriage vow. In a similar way, we cannot fully enjoy the benefits of being a member of Jehovah’s family without making a vow of dedication. So we dedicate ourselves to God because, in spite of our imperfection, we desire to belong to him and are resolved to be loyal to him, come what may.-
(Matthew 22.37: He said to him: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’)
15. How is dedication an act of faith?
15. When we dedicate ourselves to God, we perform an act of faith. Why is that so? Our faith in Jehovah makes us confident that drawing close to God is good for us.
(Psalm 73.28: But as for me, drawing near to God is good for me. I have made the Sovereign Lord Jehovah my refuge, To declare all your works.)
We know that it will not always be easy to walk with God while living among “a crooked and twisted generation,” but we trust in God’s promise to support us in our efforts.
(Philippians 2.15: so that you may come to be blameless and innocent, children of God without a blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you are shining as illuminators in the world,)
(Philippians 4.13: For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.)
We know that we are imperfect, but we are confident that Jehovah will deal mercifully with us even when we make mistakes.
Read Psalm 103.13, 14: As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to those who fear him. For he well knows how we are formed, Remembering that we are dust.
Read Romans 7.21-25: I find, then, this law in my case: When I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me. I really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within, but I see in my body another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin’s law that is in my body. Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So, then, with my mind I myself am a slave to God’s law, but with my flesh to sin’s law.
We have faith that Jehovah will reward our resolve to keep our integrity.-
(Job 27.5: It is unthinkable for me to declare you men righteous! Until I die, I will not renounce my integrity!)
Dedication to God Leads to Happiness
16, 17. Why does making a dedication to Jehovah lead to happiness?
16. Being dedicated to Jehovah results in happiness because it involves the giving of ourselves. Jesus stated a basic truth when he said: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”
(Acts 20.35: I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way, you must assist those who are weak and must keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said: ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’”)
Jesus fully experienced the happiness of giving during his earthly ministry. When necessary, he went without rest, food, and comfort so that he could help others to find the road to life.
(John 4.34: Jesus said to them: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.)
Jesus found delight in making his Father’s heart rejoice. Jesus said: “I always do the things pleasing to him.”-
(John 8.29: And the One who sent me is with me; he did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him.”)
(Proverbs 27.11: Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, So that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.)
17. Thus, Jesus pointed his followers toward a satisfying way of life when he said: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself.”
(Matthew 16.24: Then Jesus said to his disciples: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and keep following me.)
Doing so draws us closer to Jehovah. Could we place ourselves in the hands of anyone else who could care for us more lovingly?
18. Why does living in harmony with our dedication to Jehovah bring more happiness than being dedicated to anything or anyone else?
18. Dedicating ourselves to Jehovah and thereafter living in harmony with that dedication by doing his will brings more happiness than being dedicated to anything or anyone else. For example, many people devote their life to the pursuit of material wealth without attaining true happiness and genuine satisfaction. However, those who dedicate themselves to Jehovah find long-lasting happiness.
(Matthew 6.24: “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches.)
The honor of being “God’s fellow workers” makes them happy, yet their dedication is not to a work but to our appreciative God.
(1 Corinthians 3.9: For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field under cultivation, God’s building.)
No one could be more appreciative of their self-sacrifice than he is. He will even restore his loyal ones to their youth so that they can benefit from his care forever.-
(Job 33.25: Let his flesh become fresher than in youth; Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor.’)
Read Hebrews 6.10: For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name by ministering and continuing to minister to the holy ones.
19. What privilege is enjoyed by those who are dedicated to Jehovah?
19. Dedicating your life to Jehovah brings you into a close relationship with him. The Bible says: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.”
(James 4.8: Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones.)
(Psalm 25.14: Close friendship with Jehovah belongs to those who fear him, And he makes his covenant known to them.)
In the following article, we will consider why we can be confident about making the choice to belong to Jehovah.
How Would You Answer?
• What does dedicating oneself to God mean?
• How does being dedicated to God benefit us?
• Why do Christians need to be dedicated to Jehovah?
[End of article.]