Commitment
Life depends on two things:
#1 What goals they are committed to
#2 The strength of their commitment
We are going to look at some biblical guidelines for proper goal setting and to encourage the development of commitment to those goals
Necessity of commitment
James is a man of few words. He says it the way it is. James says that a man that is unable to commit is an unstable man.
Have you ever seen people who can not make up their minds and who lack the ability to make strong commitments end in frustration and confusion.
So considering that people who are unable or refuse to make a commitment are often frustrated and confused. Would this indicate it was a way God intended man to be or not?
1 Cor 14:33
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Strong commitments
The bible is full of people who are all about a strong commitment.
Daniel Stayed committed to God even in the face of facing lions den.
There little hebrew boys. Who stayed committed to God in the midst of being sent to the fiery furnace.
John the Baptist stayed his course even when it displeased King Herod. His head served on a silver platter over his commitment.
Jesus was committed all the way to calvary and beyond.
Weak commitments
King Saul had a weak commitment to God. Though there was a time he stood head and shoulders above all men, he became filled with self pride and his ability to do things on his own. This caused him the fall of his reign.
The Rich ruler. What a great example of weak commitment. Here he had kept the ten commandments from his youth, yet he lacked one thing he was committed to more than the Lord.
Judas was committed almost until the end. He almost made it. His commitment ran out because it was weak to the Lord or at least weaker then the commitment to other things.
Wrong Commitments
Now there are Biblical examples of strongly committed people only committed to the wrong thing.
The Rich man was more committed to his riches than Jesus
The Pharisees were more committed to their traditions than to truth
Pontus Pilate was more committed to Caesar then to Jesus. Even though he knew he was not guilty of death, preventing a riot was more important in keeping a solid relationship with Rome than with Jesus
Christian Commitments
1- Faith in God
Hebrews 11:6
The new Christian almost always runs out full of zeal and energy and begins to share what God has done for them. They often run into a group who either doesn’t want to hear or refuses or attacks with scripture the new convert is unfamiliar with. Often the new convert will begin a debate in at a time when they have not enough knowledge of the Word to do so.
They need more prayer closet time, and less debate time. This would draw them to a deeper faith in God. We may be able to please God without knowing how to dispute every false doctrine, but we will never please God without faith.
2- Faith in God’s Word
All to many times the Christian runs out and buys all the books they can on Christianity, Christianity for Dummies, Christianity 101 etc… When all they needed truly was the Word of God and to grow in Faith in it.
Psalms 119:11, I John 2:5
3- Obedience
Back to James He just really puts it on us in his writings.
James 2:17, 2:20
If a man is really believes and his faith in God is genuine, he will want to obey EVERY command from God. Once his faith is established obedience must is imperative for the new Christian.
The Prophet Samuel put it to Saul when he offered a sacrafice unto the Lord out side of the Lord’s Will or command. Samuel 15:22-23
4-Studying the Bible
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God”
This verse demonstrates more than a command but purpose as to why. To be approved of God.
Many study to prove doctrine, or to have more knowledge than a family member or to dispute theories. However we should study to be approved by God.
5- Prayer
I find it incredible how purposed a verse becomes if we simply read it as it is written and not read into it. Matthew 6:5
Jesus does not say if you pray, or should you decide to pray, he said WHEN you pray. I believe as we read the word of God and begin to read it black and white as it is written we will be approved by God as we apply it to our lives.
It is clear throughout scripture that we must pray.
I Thes 5:17 Pray without ceasing,
Colosians 4:2 Continue in prayer,
Luke 18:1 Always pray and not faint,
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always,
I Timothy 2:8 …Pray everywhere, lifting holy hands
Then taking a stand like Paul and not saying I will try to pray but that I will pray. I Cor 14:15
6- Attend Church
Hebrews 10:24-25
Attending Church is far more critical to Christian health than new Christians realize.
Since the first priority in our lives should be to develop faith, what a better place to accomplish that. Romans 10:14
If you notice the book of Revelations God speaks only to the churches of the “Church”. Makes you wonder what happened to the independent souls who for whatever reason refused to align themselves with a local assembly.
Arrange Your Priorities
Proper arrangement of priorities is the first step to developing proper strength in commitments.
A successful man in any field knows how to set goals for themselves and arrange priorities for the greatest efficiency and fruitfulness possible.
A good arrangement
1- Keep the Faith II Tim 4:7
2-Obey God’s Word Romans 6:17
3- Study God’s Word Psalms 119:11
4- Committing yourself to an attitude of prayer
Every time you miss a service you miss a meal. A meal that would have strengthened your spirit, and your faith.
Make a commitment that spiritual things will take a precedence over ALL other goals of our lives.
Tags: Church Attendance Dedication What Am I Missing Committment
