When the pilot of a giant airline is speeding down the runway; there is a certain point where it staying on the ground is no longer an option. When he crosses that line, he is committed to the air, he will take off or a disastrous crash is imminent. The pilot can no longer change his mind he is committed. This past Sunday, we continued the "Fabulous Life of a Teenager." Our focus was on commitment, more importantly the commitment to Christ. There is of course a difference between a decision and a commitment.
The same can be said about people in the church today. They made a decision about Christ, but have not made a commitment to Christ. They have been sitting there gunning their engines, making noise but getting nowhere. They have been planning on it, meaning to, wanting to, trying to, going to, aiming to, hoping to. But tragedy of tragedies, they have never got off the ground. My last post, I ended it with Romans 12:1-2 where Paul writes,
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
It is impossible to be "sort of committed." You are either committed or you are not committed. To commit ourselves to God means that we are to yield ourselves to him, surrender to him, abandon ourselves to him, entrust ourselves to him and place ourselves at his disposal.
There are two clear calls to commitment that every believer has to face.
1. Commitment to Personal Growth-we are called to commit ourselves as disciples. Disciples are learners. Make a commitment to continue to grow spiritually. Start a Bible reading plan, set aside time each day to pray, read good Christian literature, and find yourself a small group or Bible study. Never give up learning.
2. Commitment to the Local Body-the local church gathers for worship, teaching, and fellowship to gain power to carry out the ministry as we scatter to the various places of responsibility in the world. It is getting involved in the life of the church. Get involved by serving somewhere in the church.
God Bless,
Billy
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