It is interesting how we typically think of commitment as an inner resolve, an ideal worthy of our approval and effort. While there is nothing wrong with this ideal, it is often kept at this level of abstraction. For instance, one might say, "I am committed to the success of this project" or "I am committed to this relationship." Yet, do one's actions reflect such resolve?
The word commitment is derived from a Latin word meaning "to bring (or bind) together." The dictionary defines commitment as "a pledge to do" or " The state of being bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action or to another person or persons." Implied here is something beyond the mere feeling about an ideal.
I have noticed that while we unhesitatingly voice that to which we are committed, we fail to follow through in action. Interestingly, we apply this same ideal in our commitment to Christ. Oswald Chambers puts it plainly, "Many of us are loyal to our notions of Jesus Christ, but how many of us are loyal to Him?"
A sincere commitment will compel one to action and will result in deeds such as:
- providing for the needs of a neighbor (1 John 3:17)
- lowering ourselves to elevate another (Phil 2:3)
- reconciling a hurt relationship (Matt 5:24)
- sacrificing our time, money to benefit another (Deut 15:7-8)
- letting offense pass us by (Luke 6:27-34)
- doing the right thing, even though it sets us apart (Prov 29:27)
- most importantly, proclaiming the Gospel in word and deed (1 Thess 1:5-6)
Often, our "commitment to Christ" is self-focused rather than outward focused. We'll spend more time reading our Bibles than reading them with others. We protect our personal devotion time yet we're unwilling to sacrifice our time to serve another person. We pray for our own needs not realizing that perhaps we are the means to provide for others' needs. To be committed to Christ is to glorify His name, as my friend Paul Adams puts it, "Believers are the light of the world and when our light shines into the lives of others by our good works on their behalf, then God's glorious presence is illuminated (Matthew 5:14-16)," my emphasis added.