SCRIPTURE: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Nominal Christians may not miss church services or activities in church, but their lifestyles are completely unchanged.
In our previous studies, we saw what dedication to God is all about. We saw that dedication to God means love and affection for God, devotion to God, submission to God, addiction to God, and donation to God.
Now, in our study today, we shall look at categories of people in church in relation to dedication to God.
a) The Undedicated People
This is the first group of people as far as dedication to God is concerned. This is the group of people who are not dedicated to God at all. They are people that don’t pay any special attention to God or Kingdom matters. They come to church when they feel like. If they wake up on Sunday morning and they don’t feel good, they don’t go to church.
If there is a football match, or a movie series they want to watch on Sunday morning, going to church doesn’t mean anything to them. This is the group of people that both God and man don’t expect anything much from as far as their relationship with God is concerned. God cannot rely on them for anything; and the church also cannot rely on them.
b) The Nominally Dedicated
This is the second group of people as far as dedication is concerned. This is the category of people who are religiously dedicated. They bear the name and semblance of dedication, but in reality, they are not truly dedicated to God. They are nominal Christians, that is, their Christianity is by name, and not a way of life.
Nominal Christians may not miss church services or activities in church, but their lifestyles are completely unchanged. Church attendance does not change their lifestyle, or cycle of friends. No matter how powerfully the pastor preaches, they still indulge in drinking alcohol, smoking and fornication or adultery. Though they go to church, their lives do not show that they are true children of God.
Now, the question I would like to ask you is, are you a nominal Christian or a real Christian? Do you pay attention to God and to the matters of His Kingdom? Do you only go to church when you feel like going? Does church attendance have any significant positive impact on your lifestyle?
Beloved, it is not the will of God for you to be an undedicated or a nominal Christian. Be determined to be truly dedicated to God.
Remember this: Nominal Christians may not miss church services or activities in church, but their lifestyles are completely unchanged.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Refuse to be a nominal Christian. Don’t be an undedicated Christian.
- Make up your mind to be an exemplary dedicated child of God.
PRAYER: Lord, I ask that You deliver me from being a nominal Christian. I receive the grace to be a genuine child of God, Lord, in Jesus’ Name.
FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: BRUTAL DEDICATION
QUOTE: We have a lot of Christians who cannot withstand pressure. When pressure comes, they lie so they can escape. They compromise their Christianity in various forms in their work places, and do all manner of things yet they are faithful in tithing and dedicated to service. That is the quality of Christians that have been produced in many quarters. That is a measure of the effectiveness of your Ministry. Culled from the book, “THOU ART MY BATTLE AXE” by Dr Paul Enenche.
DAILY READING: Jeremiah 37-39
AMAZING FACT: The deepest freshwater lake in the world is Lake Baikal, located in Siberia. It plunges to a whopping depth of 5,315 feet (1,620m). Woah!
PROPHETIC WORD (DECLARATION): Receive the fresh baptism of zeal and passion for God in Jesus’ Name.
