Commitment | God Blog

Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Commitment

The Apostle Paul uses the examples of the soldier, farmer and athlete to demonstrate the entry level commitment the New Testament requires from those who follow Christ. "Entry level" seems shocking, given the average modern Christian dedicates less than a 10th as much time seeking and serving God as does a high school football player.

Yet neither professional athletes nor hard working farmers are called to lay down their lives, as Jesus directs believers:

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who keeps his life for himself shall lose it; and anyone who loses his life for me shall find it again." Matthew 16:24-25 TLB

Figuratively or literally, such a statement far exceeds the commitment level of hundreds of millions of Christians. Just one of many litmus tests of which we are nearly universally failing.

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.

- Galatians 6:9 MSG

Commitment is key in every aspect of life. Even more so in the face of certain resistance as reflected in a quote from Chester Nimitz, the Navy's Pacific Fleet Chief of Staff during World War II, "God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless."

For Christians, commitment to doing what is right is an essential requirement that has repercussions both in this life and beyond. Let us press on to the high calling we've been entrusted with recognizing, as did the late Ecuadorean missionary and martyr Jim Elliot, that "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

In both the physical an spiritual world, few qualities make as big a difference as commitment. Former President Calvin Coolidge summed it up nicely during a speech in 1872:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

While omnipotent is an overstatement, the quote goes a long way in explaining why "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." Commitment and persistence, perseverance and endurance all speak to an unyielding quality of belief in something or in our case, Someone, we continually find worth our best effort. From this perspective commitment closely resembles love as describe by the Apostle Paul:

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Commitment to Christ moves us to begin and continue the important work of drawing near to Him. It stands steadfast in the belief that God desires to reveal Himself to us personally in exciting and powerful ways. Commitment comprehends the extend of the spiritual battle we face from our Adversary and the trinity of sin above, around and within. It takes Biblical warnings to expect resistance to our seeking and serving God seriously. It encourages us to study hard to show ourselves approved by God rather than be ashamed at His appearing.

Many Scriptures attest to the vital need for Christians to commitment and stay committed, including Paul's encouragement to his son in the faith Timothy:

"You've been a good apprentice to me, part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings along with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. And you also well know that God rescued me! Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there's no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will exploit the faith. They're as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse. 2 Timothy 3:10-13

No stranger to the challenge of living and even dying for Christ, the Apostle Peter also offers encouragement to those facing trials of various kinds:

"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world." 1 Peter 4:12-13

In the face of so many possible difficulties, commitment is required by all who intend to "fight the good fight of faith." Whether the battle rages within or with others, prayer for endurance and determination to finish the course is essential:

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return and the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8

"As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62

"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew 24:12-13

With so much, including our very salvation, depending on our level of commitment there's good reason for Scripture to place such a high value on not only starting but finishing well. When the going gets tough, the extent of our faith is revealed. Yet as crucial as commitment is, few concern themselves enough to earnestly pray their faith pass the test. Most rather assume there's little to fear but fear itself. Yet the Bible warns explicitly that temptation is a foe not be taken lightly.

John Bunyan, the famous 17th century Christian preacher and author of "Pilgrims Progress" wrote that looking back over his life one of his greatest regrets was that he had not taken Christ's instruction more seriously to fervently pray, "lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil."

In the movie, "The Last Knight" Sean Connery as King Arthur invoked the following blessing when convening the Round Table, "Grant us the wisdom to know the right, the will to choose it and the strength to make it endure." We do well to do the same.

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