What is a Christian rededication? Should I rededicate my life to Christ?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible doesn’t speak of "rededicating your life to Christ.” However, it addresses two common issues underlying rededication: those who turn from sin when they realize they’re not living as believers and those who were born into faith but who never genuinely believed. The Old Testament records periods of national revival for Israel, in which they turned from sin and back to God (Joshua 24; 2 Kings 23:1–3; 2 Chronicles 15:8–15; Nehemiah 9:1–38). The New Testament focuses more on individuals repenting of sin and renewing their relationship with the Lord. Passages like the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 show God’s forgiveness of sins and His willingness to welcome us back to Him. Jesus addressed the genuineness of individual faith, warning that on Judgment Day, He would reject those with merely a said faith (Matthew 7:21–23). Romans 12:1–2 indicates that believers are meant to reject sin and experience continual spiritual growth; doing so protects us from a pseudo-Christian worship. Though “rededication” is not a specific biblical rite, the foundations of it are biblical. In fact, rededication can be an effective way to help people realize that Jesus's forgiveness is for all of us.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Joshua 24 describes the renewal of the Israelites’ covenant relationship with God. After recounting all the undeserved grace God had bestowed upon the Israelites, Joshua tells them to “put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel” (Joshua 24:23). God had established the Mosaic Covenant with the Israelites, yet the Joshua passage shows that some were in sin by worshiping idols. They promised to put the idols away and serve God alone (Joshua 24:24). In this sense, the nation rededicated themselves to God.
• Another spiritual revival occurred in 2 Kings 23:1–3 under King Josiah.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Not all who call themselves “Christian” are truly living for Christ. Jesus indicated this sad reality in Matthew 7:21–23. When people realize that they are not truly saved, they can rededicate themselves to being true followers of Christ and prevent the encounter at Judgment Day, when Christ tells “Christians” who aren’t really His followers, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23).
• Those who rededicate themselves to Christ can find comfort in the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11–32. That parable clearly shows that God forgives both longtime Christians who sin and new Christians who were deceived for years. It is a spiritual deep breath, wherein believers can refocus their relationship with Christ. Jesus will always take us back.
• Romans 12:1–2 says that a believer is meant to reject sin and experience continual spiritual “renewal” and growth. God doesn’t will anyone to misunderstand the gospel or merely go through the motions of a Christian life for years before understanding saving grace. But God is forgiving and willing to take us back when we do.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Sometimes, we don’t notice things going stale until it’s too late. Not paying attention to the “use by” dates on food may leave us with bread suited only for feeding the birds or crackers just fit for the top of soup. Stale relationships have greater consequences. This is especially true of those who claim to be Christians. Our relationship with the Lord should never grow stale. But if we are only “Christian” because we grew up in a Christian household or because we enjoy the social activities of church, we’re not worshiping the Lord “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Some believers realize this and rededicate themselves to their faith. They may take steps to grow in knowledge of the Lord, studying His Word with renewed dedication and refreshing their prayer lives. Rededication can be an effective way to help people realize that Jesus's forgiveness is for all of us. Like the father in the Prodigal Son parable, the Lord will not turn away those who want to renew their relationship with Him.

UNDERSTAND

• Rededication follows recognizing a lack of genuine faith.
• The Bible supports repentance, spiritual renewal, and growth.
• God welcomes and forgives those who return to Him.

REFLECT

• Have you ever felt that your relationship with God has become stale or distant? What steps have you taken to renew it?
• How do you understand the difference between recommitment and rededication?
• How does the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 inspire you to seek God’s forgiveness and renewal in your own life when you have drifted away?

ENGAGE

• How can we help others recognize the need for rededication without making them feel condemned?
• What are some practical ways we can encourage continual spiritual growth in our own lives and in the lives of those around us?
• How do the Old and New Testament examples of repentance and renewal inform our understanding of what rededication truly means today?