If you want great results, you need to be committed.
It costs to be faithful. It cost Abraham the yielding up of his only son. It cost Esther to risk her own life. It cost Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being put into a fiery furnace. It cost Stephen death by stoning. It cost Paul his life. Does it cost you anything to be faithful to your Lord and King?
No ExcusesFaithfulness to God is a great blessing and he is always happy over those who stay faithful to Him. Yet some have not understood clearly when God said that it is required that we be found faithful (1 Cor. 4:2).
BEING FAITHFUL IS NOT OPTIONAL,
and yet, I have seen some who do not trust God. Perhaps someone can tell me why a Christian, in their old age, say “I cannot get out for worship” but yet, that same person can stand on their feet for an hour while they grocery shop? Perhaps, one can tell me why some feel so shy to talk about the Bible, but they have no problem speaking to people they don’t know about every other subject? Perhaps, one can tell me why some seem so troubled with their faith but do nothing about it. Perhaps, one can…
TELL ME WHERE PEOPLE'S COMMITMENT TO GOD HAS GONE?
Consider further, there are Christians who do not seem to be bound to anything on this earth. You could take away their house, bank account, job or business–everything but the clothes on their back and yet still they would love God with all their heart. However, does this mean they are faithful? Doesn’t the Scriptures state that you can give your body to be burned at the stake as a testimony, but without the proper motive, without love in your heart for God, you will die in vain (I Cor. 13:3)? Why is it that people look at faithfulness as just overcoming lust and sinful habits, or just reading our Bible and church attendance, or just keeping thyself pure from all evil and wickedness? These things can never make us faithful to God because…
THEY DO NOT PRODUCE FAITH.
Consider the fact that faithfulness to God is impossible unless it springs from a trusting, believing heart. Simply put, if we trust God, we will be faithful. If we do not trust God, we have lost it all. We are told in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing the Word of God because the one hearing the word of God believed what God has said. And, as one ages in life, the older we get, we still have no excuse to stop trusting God. It’s like evangelism, if you can go anywhere, then you can speak to people about the Bible. If you cannot get out of your bed, then you can call people on the phone. Like in the church, if we are falling short, we got to get out and shake the bushes. This is committing oneself to God. This is every member realizing that they are part of the body of Christ (Rom. 12:4-5). You know, anyone can make a good start. But, the real test is finishing well (Jam.1:12). Thus, staying faithful demands being committed to God. Those who stay committed to God help the local church stay strong and growing in Christ. When we stay committed to the Lord other Christians gain a true brother or sister (Col.4:9). If we will stay committed to the Lord then our community is going to have a powerful Christian influence (Matt. 7:13-14). This is why we are encouraged in Rev. 2:10 to be faithful unto death.
Being committed to God is stating that you live by faith just as Paul did, when he finished his Christian life, strong. So, if you are discouraged with your Christian faith, don’t give up on God. Enter through the narrow gate (Matt. 7:13-14).
IT TAKES COMMITMENT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering (Heb. 10:23-25).
Stay close to God and his people.
Examine things carefully that are around you (1 Thess. 5:21-22).
STAY COMMITTED TO GOD
Article, Commitment to God, by Robert Notgrass, Church of Christ, Washington, WV