Fully Committed
Posted by Living NEW Ministries on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 6:20am
This morning I’m sitting here pondering the message series I’m in the middle of preaching, called “Fully Committed.” Commitment in today’s world for the most part is dirty word. Commitment carries with it a requirement that my cause us to do something for the “right reason” rather than the “right feeling”, which goes against most everything taught today. Whatever you do it should be because it feels good to me. It doesn’t matter what it is, we are indoctrinated in today’s culture to do things, even if it’s something like giving to others, because it makes us “feel good”. There’s no question we tell ourselves we are committed to this or that and it is true we are. At least it’s true until something no longer fulfills a felt need, is convenient, or requires more work than we are willing to invest. We are afraid to make lifetime commitments. Look at the divorce rate in the world or worse in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is also apparent in the rapid movement from church to church looking for what feels good to me. I declare it’s time for a change. This world needs to see true commitment lived out. Jesus, all God made a decision and committed to become all man as well that we might be restored to right relationship with God our Creator. He was so committed to this process that He paid the price for our rebellion and lack of commitment to His walk in His ways. His commitment caused Him to leave heaven, lay down His rights as God, be beaten and put to death so that you and I could have everlasting life through right relationship with God. Look at this call to commitment by Jesus in Luke 14, “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26-27 NLT He’s not saying we should hate. To the contrary everything He does is bathed in forgiveness. If you’re walking in His forgiveness and practicing forgiving others then it’s impossible to hate. No this is what He is saying. Your love for God, your commitment to God should be so strong that your commitment to anything else, including your family would seem like hate. Now that’s a pretty strong statement about His desire for and our need to be fully committed. Too much of the church today sees this walk with Christ as something good to do and a “get out of jail free card,” or fire insurance for the future. It’s a whole lot like many marriages today. Many of them are strictly for convenience sake: Cohabitation. God is not interested in cohabitation. He’s interested in full commitment and genuine intimacy. I challenge you to look at your commitments today. Are they true commitments or only commitments until the feeling wears off? This world needs people to live totally sold out for the long haul and not worried so much about the short term gains. If you and I will commit to Loving God and Loving People with His type love, a love marked by giving and not getting, we can influence and change our world. Truth Nuggets
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Lisa says:

Hi Wayne,
I have to admit, I used to try to commit to living right, working for God, working in the ministry... I would commit to do my very best. Try as I would, I would never get it 100% right.
Then one day, I realized the difference between "commit" and "surrender" I had a lifetime of broken New Year's resolutions that proved to me that I couldn't do it. When I commit to doing something... I'm doing (or trying to do) something in MY energy, with MY will. However, when I surrender--I'm telling the other guy (whomever 'he' may be) that I can't keep going like I"m going. Feed me, starve me, beat me, heal me, kill me, set me free... whatever.. I can't keep it up.

Of course, when we surrender to Jesus, we're surrendering to the One that loves us completely. It's His love/life living in us and through us, that make a difference in our lives, and in the lives of those around us.

I gave up commitments--I could never get it perfect (which is what God demands.. nothing less than perfection)... and simply surrendered to whatever God wanted from me. Whatever He wills, I want to be available to.
Blessings!

Comment submitted: 8/22/2009 7:30:25 PM

Living NEW Ministries says:

Lisa, first let me say, thank you for your candor. I think we are saying the same thing, but let me explain why I think it’s important for commitment. I surrendered to Christ when His Holy Spirit drew me to Himself. “No one comes to the Father except the Spirit draws him.” To me, surrender says, I give up to the one who is pursuing me. I’m so thankful that God chose to pursue me and make a way for reconciliation with Him through the forgiveness of my sins by what Jesus did on the cross for us. I have completely surrendered to Him.

Since I surrendered to God, I believe I have a responsibility to, consciously, everyday commit to that relationship regardless of how I feel at any particular time. When He redeemed me He didn’t take away my free will. My commitment to Him is, here I am; here’s what I have; what do you want to do, Lord. God has taken the responsibility to provide our every need, but He also desires our decision everyday to present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice. When we willing yield to Him day by day is when we can began to enjoy the true benefits of our relationship with Him. The benefits of a surrendered life and committed relationship are much more than just eternal life in heaven one day. It’s truly walking in a peace that passes all understanding and a joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Finally, you’re right we can live or be perfect. Christ our Savior is the only perfect one. However, He does desire our excellence. Colossians tells us that, “Whatever we do in word or deed do all in the name (the nature and character) of Christ.” The psalmist tells us in Psalm 8, “Oh Lord our Lord how excellent is Thy name.” If you and I commit to do everything according to His will and way, then He, who is Perfect will take care of the rest.

God bless!

Comment submitted: 8/23/2009 4:34:26 AM

Lisa says:

Since I surrendered to God, I believe I have a responsibility to, consciously, everyday commit to that relationship regardless of how I feel at any particular time. When He redeemed me He didn’t take away my free will. My commitment to Him is, here I am; here’s what I have; what do you want to do, Lord. God has taken the responsibility to provide our every need, but He also desires our decision everyday to present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice. When we willing yield to Him day by day is when we can began to enjoy the true benefits of our relationship with Him. The benefits of a surrendered life and committed relationship are much more than just eternal life in heaven one day. It’s truly walking in a peace that passes all understanding and a joy unspeakable and full of glory.

I agree.... it could be just a "you say tomato, I say tomahto" thing. Each day we have a choice of who we're going to listen to: God or our own fleshly desires. I suppose (and this is just me) too many times in the "old days of my churchianity" I strived (emphasis on strive!) to gut it out for God. I was sincere, but I was miserable, frustrated, and pretty much a grouch. I hadn't "surrended" to God, but I was "committed" to doing all the 'right' things in hopes of making Him love me more (as if!)... That could be why I shy away from the word "committed" and prefer the word "surrendered". however... again... that's JUST me.
Have a blessed Sunday!

Comment submitted: 8/23/2009 7:49:48 AM

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