Commitment

Dick Millwee

Our society is plagued with the general problem of “Non-commitment”. It is seen: in the tragic breakup of marriages where one or both spouses have not kept their vows they once made to each other; doing just enough on the job to just get by rather than doing the best one can; hiding in the shadows waiting while someone else does what we had the ability and opportunity to do; etc, etc. Far too many have the attitude of “Well, I’ll try” or “If it is convenient I’ll do it” rather than a stepping up to the plate and saying, “I’ll do it and you can put that in the bank!”

The dictionary defines the word “COMMITMENT” as: “To place in trust or charge; consign, entrust.” In the spiritual sense, the word “COMMITMENT” is best described in 1 Pet 2:23 and 1 Pet 4:19. These scriptures talk about Christ and Christians having complete confidence in God. A confident assurance that God will keep His promises and do what He says He will do. There is absolutely do doubt about God’s fidelity and integrity. Consequently, the child of God trusts God will be true to His promises to them.

When we become a child of God, we are saying to God, “We are committed to doing that which pleases You and there is no doubt about it.” In essence, we are saying to God, “You can trust me to do the very best that I can to serve you faithfully all the days of my life. “I will be like Isaiah when he said, ‘Here am I, send me’” (Isa 6:8) . “I will be like Jesus, my Savior when He said, ‘Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; nevertheless, not My will be done, but Yours be done’” (Luke 22:42).

In both cases cited above we see Isaiah saying, “God, I’ll do it and you can trust me (committed) to carry out what You want done” and Jesus saying, “Father, if there is another way to have man’s sins forgiven other than my painful death, then please use that means, however, if that can only be achieved by My death, then ‘Your will be done’”. There was no hesitation on their part; they demonstrated by their behavior that God could trust them in carrying out His will.

We need to do a heart check to determine if we are acting in the manner we indicated we would when we became Christians. Is our life demonstrating to God that He can trust us to abide by our vows of faithfulness to the keeping of His will. Is the kingdom of God and His will our first priority in life (Matt 6:33)? Is our service to God “lip service” or “heart service” (Matt 15:8)? Am I quick to volunteer to do spiritual service to another when I have the ability and opportunity or do I lurk in the shadows waiting for someone else to do what I should be doing (Gal 6:10)? Am I consistent in my attendance and giving as God commands (Heb 10:25; 1 Cor 16:2), etc., etc. Is my daily life saying to God, “Look Father, I committed myself to You and promised You can have confidence and trust in me that no matter what circumstances befall me in life, ‘I WILL DO YOUR WILL’”. Jesus said, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt 7:20). Let us all strive to bring forth fruits of repentance and COMMITMENT. Can God trust you to keep your promise?