MESSAGES
A word that is quite often used, but very seldom followed by mankind is the word—commitment. Society seems to prefer the word—involvement. It's a word that appears less threatening and more "user-friendly." Why is that? Perhaps the definitions of these words will help to answer that question.
To be involved means, "to engage as a participant; to make busy." We become involved in many different activities, and we remain involved. That is until we get bored and lose interest, or until our interest changes. We then simply become involved in something else.
To be committed means, "to deliver or entrust to one's charge; to bind, as by a promise or pledge." In other words, we are to keep our promise. We are to be men and women of integrity, whose word is better than a signed Contract.
Let me give you an example: Someone once said, "The Kamikaze pilot who was able to fly more than one mission was involved, but not committed." In other words, when we are simply involved, we can pull out any time we wish. We don't have to fulfill our responsibility. We don't have to keep our word. We can walk away any time we like.
I'm reminded of the writing on the back of a picture that said: My dearest, I love you with all of my heart. I love you more and more each day. I will love you forever and ever. I am yours for all eternity. Signed Yours Truly PS - If we ever break up, I want this picture back. Obviously, this is not commitment, but rather just involvement.
This "Kamikaze" attitude has caused America to go from being a super power to a superficial power. We look so good on the outside, but inside we are filled with emptiness. This "PS" attitude has caused the divorce rate in America to soar higher than ever before. Today, 1 in every 1.8 marriages is ending in divorce. It seems to be easier to walk away from it than to stay and work things out.
On the other hand, when we're committed, there is no pulling out. We stay in the marriage and we work at fixing whatever might need fixing. We keep our vows. We are to let our yes be yes, and our no be no (Matthew 5:37).
We are to keep our word to our spouse, our children, our employees, our employer, but most of all—to our God. Although the going gets tough at times, it doesn't mean that we are to get going. We are never to run from our commitments. The Bible says that we are to, "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58; emphasis added).
Many of you are involved in your marriage, but not committed. Many of you are more committed to your professions than you are to your marriages. And still others of you are committed to both your marriage and your professions, but not to the Lord.
Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God … and everything else will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). We need to remain committed to our marriages, to our families, to our professions, and to our ministry. This will happen as we remain committed to Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "But your heart must be fully committed to the Lord our God" (1 Kings 8:61 NIV; emphasis added).
The story goes about a hen and a pig that wanted to do something to help the poor people. The hen suggested that they feed the people eggs and bacon. The pig stopped and thought for a moment, then said, "That's fine for you. For you it requires only a contribution, but for me it requires total commitment." If we profess to love God and others, if we profess to belong to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, then we should always be ready to give bacon, and not just eggs.
The Bible says that we are to, "love the Lord our God and serve Him with all our hearts and with all our soul." In other words, we are to be totally committed to God. Are we totally committed to the Lord? Are we sold out to God? Are we willing to give bacon, or only eggs to God? As a child of God, and a servant of the Lord, it is so important that we give bacon in every area of our life.
Jesus tells us in Matthew's gospel, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..." (20:28; emphasis added). We need to always be following His example.
Let's stop being involved with our life, and let's start being committed to the life that God has given us. We show Him our commitment as we continue to give Him bacon, and not just eggs.
May we each be totally committed, as never before, to the Lord Jesus Christ. May we always remain committed to our marriage, to our family, to our profession, to Bible reading, to prayer, to church, and to ministry. As we do, then we will experience the blessings that God desires to give us.
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed"
(Proverbs 16:3 NIV)
God bless you,
Pastor Steve |
|
 |
| |
|
 |
| SHIELD OF FAITH |
|
|
For more information,
call (951) 687-6902
Attention Juanita
|
| |
| |
 |
|
