Webster’s dictionary defines commitment as “the state of being obligated or emotionally impelled.” The church needs members who feel an obligation to God and are driven to serve Him. Does that sound like you? Being committed to God involves more than just saying we are. We must prove it. How do we demonstrate that we are impelled to serve our God and Savior, Jesus Christ? Let us see.
Like Abraham, we must be committed to doing God’s will whether we want to or not. Do you think Abraham wanted to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt-offering to God? Of course not! However, when God commanded him to do so, he did not hesitate (Genesis 22:1-3).
Abraham did the right thing, not only in obeying God, but doing so quickly. When we are committed to serving God, we do not procrastinate when it comes to following His instructions. Instead, we act as soon as possible, knowing that hesitation only serves to allow Satan to entice us not to keep the commandment at all.
Like Joseph, we must be committed to serving God even when the circumstances of life turn against us. When he was sold to Potiphar in Egypt, he continued to trust in God; thus, the Lord was with him, and he was blessed (Genesis 39:1-2).
When he was falsely accused of attempting to rape Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison as punishment, he refused to be bitter, and God rewarded him by giving him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison (Genesis 39:20-21).
When the cupbearer, who was in prison with Joseph, forgot to give him credit for interpreting his dream, and Joseph was left in prison for another two full years, he did not blame God for his unfavorable condition, but continued to believe in God instead. As a result, he was ultimately rewarded by being promoted to a position of power, being only behind Pharaoh in authority.
When we are committed to serving God, we do so in good times and in bad times. Like Joseph, we refuse to blame God for the difficulties that we experience in life, knowing that all things work together for good for them that love the Lord (Romans 8:28).
Like Paul, we must be committed to saving souls, even when it puts us at risk. The first place Paul went when he entered a new city was the local synagogue, knowing that there were souls there that needed saving. The fact that the Jews were hostile to Christ and to those promoting His gospel did not dissuade him. Paul was on a mission—the Lord’s mission, and he would not allow anything, or anyone, to stop him from fulfilling it.
This is what real commitment looks like. It does not hesitate to obey God or waver when life gets tough, and it does not abandon the Lord’s primary mission just because the crowd is not favorable toward it. In days of unrest and lack of interest, this is what the church needs—members with the spirit of commitment.
Are you committed to God? We cannot pretend or fake it. Not only does God know if we are driven to serve Him or not, but people around us know it too. Do you want to do what is best for the church? Commit yourself totally to the Lord. In doing so, you will not only be saving yourself, but you will also help others to be saved as well.
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.