Dedicated to the Lord
John D. Telgren

Being dedicated to the Lord is another way of saying that we are "holy" to the Lord.  The Lord tells his people, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2).  This thought is repeated throughout scripture.  We are told that as Christians we are a "holy nation" and a "people for God's own possession"  (I Peter 2:9).

Among many Christians there seems to be a mistaken idea that we should not rub shoulders with the world.  After all, one of the meanings for being holy is to be "set apart".  Some have even gone so far as to set up monastic communities where they are totally separated from the sin and drudgery of the outside world.

However, Jesus did not separate himself.  He
"became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14).  He traveled, touched peoples wounds, hearts, and souls.  He never passed up an opportunity to preach the good news.  He was without a doubt the most holy of all.  However, being set apart did not mean putting a vast distance between himself and the world.  He was set apart for a specific purpose.  He was dedicated to God for God's plan and purpose.  He was in the world, but was not like the world.

Are you dedicated in the same way?  Are you "holy to the Lord"?  If so, then you are committed to the task that Jesus has left us. 
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation"  (Mark 16:15).  Are you really holy if you ignore what you have been set apart for?  Are you really a holy child of God if you disregard what God has dedicated you to?

What must I do?  Good question!  First of all, as a born again Christian, you must simply
GO!  Second of all, you must tell the Gospel.  The Gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins, and was raised from the dead.  If you are a Baptized believer, then you have a story to tell.  You have GREAT NEWS to proclaim!