What Is "Re-dedication?"

You have heard Christians refer to the re-dedication of one's life to the Lord. Perhaps you already are a Christian, but the relationship needs to be renewed and deepened. A Christian can wander from God in sin, or simply lose their closeness to the Lord through the busyness of life.

A born-again Christian is forever God's child. Your salvation is a matter of "son-ship." However, your daily Christian growth is a matter of "fellowship." Your spiritual birth into God’s family is in some ways, similar to your physical birth into the human family. For instance, in growing up as a child, you may have disobeyed and disappointed your father. Something you did may have grieved your father, but you were still his child, because you had been born into that family. In the same way, the Christian’s relationship to the Lord is still intact, even though a sin we commit may hinder our daily fellowship with God. Salvation is a one-time, instantaneous event; Christian growth, and personal fellowship with God is an everyday, life-long process. Consistent daily prayer, Bible study, obedience to the Holy Spirit, and nurture in a local church fellowship are all keys to growth and Christian maturity.

While your "sonship" may be intact, your daily "fellowship" may be lacking. Christ, not "self" must be on the throne of your heart and life! Sin hinders our fellowship with God. "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). Perhaps your desire is like that of David, when He had wandered from God: "Create in me a clean heart, Oh God. Take not thy Holy Spirit from me" (Psalm 51:10).

God lovingly receives all who turn to Him, and all who return to Him! He cleanses us from sin, and restores us to fellowship with Him. King David had been "a man after God’s own heart," but his sinful deeds required that he humbly re-commit himself to the Lord: "Cast me not away from thy presence, Restore unto me the joy of my salvation" (Psalms 51:11-12). Christian publications often use the following verse in the context of evangelism, and that is OK, but I John 1:9 is really a promise to the Christian who needs to make things right with the Lord: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

From the same chapter is another great truth that gives us precious, sweet assurance: "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 cleanses us from all sin" (I John 1:7). You may already know the Lord, but wish to pray these basic words of re-dedication and commitment:

"Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned and wandered from You. I confess my sin, and turn from it. I recommit myself to You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for forgiving me; I trust You to give me the strength to live for You each day of my life. Thank You for being my Savior, my Lord, and my Friend. In Your Name I pray, Amen."