COMMITMENT

Walking down the isles at the local Wal-Mart and listening and watching is an interesting experience. Folks are often “on a mission” to get something of interest to them at that moment. They are committed to a project, sport, their work or something that is needed at home. Certainly there is nothing wrong with these actions (as long as they are not sinful in and of themselves). For a few moments let’s consider our commitment –

 

COMMITMENT TO WHO / WHAT?

 

Our “Instant” World – Many desire to be an “instant” success. We want to play a guitar in five minutes. We feel we should be able to know a computer program in 60 seconds. We start a new job and think we know as much as an experienced executive. The stark reality – the desire for “instant” success and experience is foolish thinking!

 

Teachers, Doctors, Lawyers, Scientists, Scholars – Consider what each paid in time, effort and monetary cost to achieve their position of success. Years of sitting at the feet of experienced teachers; diligent studying and burning the midnight oil, thousands of dollars of tuition and related expenses were required to reach the beginning point of the life’s work of many. How absurd to think we can take shortcuts and reach that position overnight.

 

Obtaining A Deep Knowledge Of God’s Word – Many of us have heard of the four to six hours each day that brother Gus Nichols, Winfred Clark, Franklin Camp, Guy N. Woods and others read and studied the Bible. It was obvious when you heard them teach God’s saving Gospel. Sadly, some young ones today feel they “already know it all” and have no clue what they do not know.

 

Time, effort and commitment is SO essential to be prepared students of the Word of God. Caution should be exercised as teachers as we grow in the truth. Be willing to listen to those seasoned, battle-worn, wise and experienced senior students – drink from their well of knowledge.

 

Commitment To Jesus Christ – How deep is your love to Him and your resolve to follow Him completely? Listen to our Lord’s words found in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” The apostle Paul would exhort all followers of Christ in these words, “…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Rom. 12:1-2).” He would further instruct us, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,” “seek those thing which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” (Titus 2:11-12 and Col. 3:1).

 

While loyalty to our favorite sports team is fine, giving your best on the job, community involvement is good and faithfulness to your family is of utmost importance – but the truth remains – nothing, absolutely nothing, should be before your commitment to your Lord and His work.

 

A Final Thought. The song “I’ll Never Forsake My Lord” written by the esteemed L. O. Sanderson should be our resolve in life.

 

“Though my cross may be hard to bear

                  Though my life may be filled with care;

         Though misfortune be mine to share

                  I’ll never forsake my Lord.

 

         Though so helpless I cannot see

                  What the future may hold for me.

         Jesus knows and my guide will be

                  I’ll never forsake my Lord.”