CAN THESE VOWS LIVE? — Forsaking All Others
by Elder Cedric DT Jackson, Sr.
Identifying My ONE AND ONLY!
This is the second in the “Can These Vows Live?” series. Please feel free to start from the beginning here.
Do You Know Who/What Your “GOD” Is?
The “GOD” of our lives is the personal force which influences our every thought, behavior, and daily action, and to which we ascribe credit (consciously and/or subconsciously) for sustaining us in life. That “GOD” is who/what we reserve our highest worship, praise, adoration and respect for. That “GOD” is rarely questioned or mistrusted. That “GOD”, by virtue of our daily dedication to him/her/it, determines our quality of life as well as our destiny in life! Do you know who/what that “GOD” is in your life?
There have been a number of people, places, and things who/which have claimed “godhood” over people’s lives:
· Money (Love of)
· Sex (Preoccupation)
· Power (Obsession)
· Blood (Family)
· Career
· Ministry/Church/Denominationalism
· Self
· Peer Pressure (“The Jones”)
Will The Real GOD Please Speak Up!
Before The True and Living God commands anything of man, He declares who He is (“I am the Lord your God”) and what He has done (“…who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage”). The first commandment logically flows from understanding who God is and what He has done for us; nothing is to come before God, He is to be the only God we worship and serve.
The idea behind no other gods before Me is not that it is permissible to have other gods as long as they line up behind the true God; the idea is that there are to be no gods before the sight of the One True God in our life. “Before Me” is literally, “to My face”.
Failure or, even much worse, refusal to obey this commandment is called idolatry; we are to flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14); those whose life is marked by habitual idolatry will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9–10, Ephesians 5:5, Revelation 21:8, 22:15); idolatry is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–20), which marks our old life instead of the new (1 Peter 4:3), and we are not to associate with those who call themselves Christians who are idolaters (1 Corinthians 5:11). I we acknowledge Who God is, and what He has done for us, He has the right to tell us what to do — and we have the obligation to obey Him.
Are You Ready For Your Future?
Oftentimes, many of us have convinced ourselves that we want something “new”, “exciting”, “fresh”, and “different.” And we have often convinced ourselves that we are in fact “beyond ready” for these things to come to pass. However, upon closer examination, it becomes crystal clear that what we really long for is a “new”, “exciting”, and “fresh” rehashing of what we already have! That is to say, we are in fact afraid to step out and do what is required of “new”, “exciting”, and “fresh” things! As time passes, we fall back into behavior patterns that are familiar, comfortable, and just outright sinful — we BACKSLIDE!
This can be devastating to a Single Person/Saint in Holiness, as well as a Married Person/Saint in Matrimony! The root problem is identifying who/what our “GOD(S)” is/are and fully AND FINALLY forsaking all other gods for The True and Living God, and identifying those past interpersonal relationships that can no longer meet any legitimate need according to God’s Peculiar Plan concerning us.
Personal Christian Discipleship is a major commitment with ramifications that are paramount to you and to everyone who you touch! Holy Matrimony, likewise, is a commitment with multi-generational ramifications to world civilization! Both of these commitments require the utmost singleness of intent, purpose, and mindset.
If we are not completely and absolutely ready for the “leaving and cleaving” required to do either successfully, we will both sow and reap confusion, discord, and a misrepresentation of God’s reputation to the world!
What I Must Do
· Identify Who My “GOD”/”Love” Is
This will determine the current source of my personal affections. Stretch out and actually ask The True and Living God Who/What my “GOD”/”One True Love” is! Make very sure that my “election and calling” to salvation/discipleship is sure! (2 Peter 1:10)
· Choose This Day My “ONE AND ONLY”
Does my “GOD” have a trustworthy track record? Do I really know the one who I believe to be my “One True Love?” Have I, or am I ready to severe all ties in order to sustain a vibrant Holy Lifestyle and/or Marriage Life with singleness of mind?
· Commit Acts of Disallegiance From (LEAVE) other “gods”/former loves!
I must publicly and personally renounce my allegiance to ALL other “gods” and former loves. This will in essence establish my process of “leaving.” My former relationships (even the “platonic” ones) must now be forever scaled back! Way back! If not eliminated!
· Commit Acts of Allegiance To (CLEAVE) To My True and Living God/True Love!
When I enter into Covenant with The One True God, I am in fact divorcing my other “gods”! Likewise, when I exchange Covenant Vows with my One True Love, I am in essence divorcing all other “loves”! My Wife/Husband must now become the exclusive target of my affections, attention, and adoration! Absolutely no exceptions!
· Keep The Original Fire Kindled!
Any fire that is not kindled and rekindled will eventually die! One old Holiness preacher once said, “You can’t run with the devil and come out holy!” Well, you can’t tend to other things, neglect your true love, and stay married either!
-Helpful Advice: One key to keeping the fire kindled is to keep communication channels healthy and well! No topic or issue is too large or small, and learning how to make and keep communication healthy and well is a life-long challenge that yields life-long rewards far beyond imagined expectations!
With the help of God, I can make up my mind, settle my heart, and…
Forsake All Others!
