On The Dotted Line!

When contracts are agreed upon, services are agreed to be paid for, or documents are ready to be made binding, it is time to sign "on the dotted line"! Our SIGNATURE is put in ink TO CONFIRM our commitment to what is before us. This also removes the doubt of other parties involved and makes it clear to anyone else who looks at the document where we stand. Though what we say should be just as sincere as what we would sign, it seems when we place our name "on the dotted line" there is a greater sense of personal ownership to the commitment. There is also a sense of accountability in that at any time someone can point to the document and say, "You signed it!" Having signed "on the dotted line" we have OBLIGATED ourselves to abide by what has been written.

During the time of Nehemiah, when a "firm covenant" of rededication to God was made ( Nehemiah 9:38), it was written down and signed by the leaders involved. It was not merely a verbal, but a written and signed agreement to walk in the Way of God. On that sealed document were placed the names of the princes, the Levites, and the priests, as well as Nehemiah who was governor at the time. ( Nehemiah 10:1)

How firm is our covenant relationship with God? Perhaps it would not be a bad idea to write out an affirmation with regard to our desire to live completely for the Will of God, sign it, and place it where we would frequently see it. Do we daily sense our OBLIGATION to live for God?

In Paul's letter to the church at Rome he exhorted. . .
"(12) So then, brothers, WE ARE DEBTORS, NOT TO THE FLESH, to live according to the flesh. (13) For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (14) For ALL WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD ARE SONS OF GOD." ( Romans 8:12-14 ESV)

The Greek word translated "debtors" is "opheiletes", and was also used of a person under an OBLIGATION. [W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words] Strong's Lexicon also notes the word's use for one being "held by some OBLIGATION" or "bound by some duty." In the text here we need to understand our OBLIGATION to put to death the deeds of the flesh as we live in accordance with the Spirit of God.

When we came to Christ, we died with Him so that we could be raise into a new life. ( Romans 6:2-4) The "signature" of our life should clearly be declaring we have surrendered our whole life to Him.

In Paul's letter to the church at Colossae, he encouraged . . .
"(3) For you have died, and YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST in God. (4) When CHRIST WHO IS YOUR LIFE appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." ( Colossians 3:3-4 ESV)

Is Christ really our life? Have we truly surrendered? Are we strongly drawn by our OBLIGATION to serve His Will? May we daily live acknowledging our covenant relationship with the Lord, that we are His and He is ours!

Have a great day ALLOWING CHRIST TO TRULY BE YOUR LIFE!
Carl

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