Commitment

What are you committed to?
We all make a lot of commitments. We make commitments to friends to stand with them in good and bad. We make commitments to teams that we join. Those of us who are married make commitments to our spouse. Parents make commitments to their children. Commitments are a vital part of any relationship.
When it comes to Christianity, what are you committed to?
Are you committed to a set of ideas and beliefs? Or are you committed to a person?
If we are going to be honest, many of us are probably as committed or more committed to a set of ideas and beliefs than we are the person of God. This is why churches split and Christians are known as much for their infighting as anything else.
Early in his gospel, John writes:
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:9-13)
The Jews, who had studied what we call the Old Testament for centuries, were waiting for the Messiah to arrive, and when he did, they missed it! They had become more committed to the words of the Bible than the One whom the words of the Bible point to. Aren’t we often guilty of the same thing?
Commitment to doctrines and beliefs above commitment to the person of God leads to things like legalism and the compartmentalization of our lives. When Christianity is about a set of doctrines and beliefs, it can be a part of our lives.
When our commitment is to the person of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Christianity becomes a valued relationship that should stand above all others. It should color every aspect of our lives.
For centuries, people have used Christianity to justify murder, racism, sexism, oppression, and much more. When we think we have the right doctrine, we can find ways to justify almost anything.
Our challenge as followers of Jesus is to follow Him along a radical path of complete commitment. This may call us to reconsider every aspect of our lives. The way we think about other people. Our spending habits. How we treat others who are different. Maybe even the way we think about church.
Ask yourself this question: What is your primary commitment in life?
When I ask myself that question, if I am honest, the answer is often not what it should be. I need to focus more on my commitment to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so that every aspect of my life reflects the nature and character of God. Isn’t that what we all need to focus on more?

shine!
Jason