Are You Committed?
By Allan E. McNabb

Commitment is a popular word in religious circles.  But don’t forget that commitment is a two-edged sword.  When you commit yourself to God, you commit yourself to obey Him — with commitment comes responsibility.

What is Commitment?
In simplest terms, a commitment is “something pledged.”

A parent promises to give a child candy after dinner — that is a commitment.  A girl promises to go on a date with a boy — that is a commitment.  God promises eternal life to the faithful — that is a commitment.

Our Commitment to Jesus
Although the word commitment does not appear in the Bible, Jesus reveals our commitment as His disciples.  “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Lk. 14:26-27).

We must love Jesus above everything and everyone on earth — we must put Him first.  Jesus says, “If anyone desires to come after Me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul” (Matt. 16:24-26)?

Jesus’ Was Committed Upon Earth
Jesus requires a total, complete, sacrificial commitment from people who desire to be His disciples.  But at the same time, Jesus has shown us the way to salvation by living the committed life He requires of us.

Jesus is therefore a sympathetic High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16), leaving us an example of total commitment to God, “Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in turn; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:22-23).

Thus, Jesus demonstrated commitment.  He committed Himself to God by living righteously, and by suffering in order to bear our sins upon the cross — by His stripes we’ve been healed (1 Pet. 2:24).

Jesus Committed Himself to God in Death
With His last words and final breaths, Jesus committed Himself to God — complete and endless commitment while suffering on the cross.

Moments before giving up His spirit, Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit” (Lk. 23:46).  He committed Himself to God, who judges righteously (1 Pet. 2:23).

Jesus Has Shown Us The Way
Jesus has shown us the way to salvation.  “He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:9) — “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2).

We’re committed to either Jesus or the world.

To whom are you committed?  Are you committed to Christ?  Have you entrusted yourself to God?