Commitment 101

COMMITMENT: DECIDING TO FOLLOW

WHAT IS COMMITMENT?

DEFINING COMMITMENT

The word of commitment is without question one of the most challenging words put into practice in your life. Commitment requires a deliberate decision on your part. The decisions you make will affect not only your life, but also the people around you.

Commitment to something or someone requires total surrender. It is a determination to do something regardless of your feelings or circumstances. Committing to something binds you to it. Likewise, commitment to Christ is a deliberate, ongoing decision to follow Him. Our commitment to Christ is not based on life’s circumstances, but on our decision to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. This kind of commitment requires a wholehearted devotion and willingness to forsake anything that would hinder your commitment to please the Lord Jesus Christ.

“And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own God?” (Deuteronomy 10:12, 13)

Consider the following questions:

What are some things to which one has to be committed?

EXAMPLES:

P God

P Family

P Friends

P Work

P School

P Yourself

P Convictions

What would be some of the results of taking commitment out of a person’s life?

EXAMPLES:

P Untrustworthy

P Undependable

P Lack of convictions

P Lack of direction

P Lack of discipline

P True feelings are questionable

P Regrets

P No follow through

Commitment: Deciding to Follow 2

What things do you have to do in a week?

EXAMPLES:

P Go to work

P Church

P Homework

P Chores

What things do you do because you want to?

Think of three things to which you are really committed. Suppose you were no longer committed to those things, how would that affect what you are or what you do?

Do you feel you want to be a Christian, or feel you have to be a Christian?

Commitment to Christ means making a deliberate choice to include God in every part of your life. With many things pulling at you in the world, commitment to Christ is not an easy thing to accomplish.

The key word in our discussion of commitment is “choice.” Choice, not chance, determines destiny. You decide the things to which you will commit. No one can force you into a committed relationship. What you are committed to is what you will spend your time on. You decide your priorities. You decide what gets your time. How do you decide how you will make your commitments? Many times, we base what we will be committed to on faulty criteria: Will it benefit me personally? Will I get something out of this commitment? Do I want to make this an important part of my life?

SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION

In Matthew 10, we see that commitment is not something Jesus hoped the apostles would have. Rather, He expected it from all those who would follow Him. They paid a price for their commitment to Christ. Jesus makes it clear that choices must be made!

Take a moment to look up the following scriptures. What does each one emphasize about commitment?

& Matthew 10:16

& Matthew 10:32, 33

& Matthew 10: 39

& Matthew 10:42

& 1st John 2:15

& 1st Peter 4:14, 16, 19

& 1st Corinthians 9:16-27

& Psalm 37:5

AREAS OF COMMITMENT

According to Psalm 37:5, we should commit our ways to God.

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this” (Psalm 37:5)

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The term “way” in this verse expresses more that direction. It refers to your entire life. We are to commit every aspect of our lives to the things of the Lord. He wants our whole life, not just part. Ponder what that may mean in your life.

Olympic athletes really have to deal with this issue. Think about it. A athlete preparing to run in the Olympics will train 6-7 hours per day. They often get up at 4 a.m. in the morning to train. They repeat the same training routine day after day, week after week, and month after month. Finally, after years of preparation and success in qualifying races, the time for the Olympic Competition arrives. In a matter of moments, the race is over. Years of discipline, determination, frustration, and self-denial – all this sacrifice for one race.

How much more should we commit to our relationship with God? The race of life is more than a 10-seond sprint. Its prize is more valuable than a medal. Our prize is eternity. (Philippians 3:14)

A committed relationship with Christ will affect several things concerning your life:

1. How much time you spend with Christ and on things of eternal value.

2. Your reputation. Not all commitment you have will be noticed. Many personal commitments will be between you and the Lord.

3. How you spend your money. Most people spend their money on what is important to them. Our commitment should be to give back to the Lord.

4. Your daily decisions. What you do, where you go, and whom you spend your time with will often be determined by what you are committed to. It can be difficult for us to imagine committing our lives to something fully. As we look at the example of Christ, we discover that the ultimate commitment has been made on our behalf.

Jesus Christ loved us enough to commit His life for us, even to the point of death, so we might have life. Jesus made the ultimate commitment. He gave His life for us. We must accept the challenge to make the same kind of commitment to the Lord. He deserves our utmost commitment, yet we struggle to give Him just a part of our lives. How much do you give to Christ? Really!

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever losses his life for me and for the Gospel will save it”. (Mark 8:35)

Matthew 16:24 tells us that we must take up our cross and follow Christ. This involves surrendering our own selfish desires for what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Surrendering to Christ means that we acknowledge that He is in control. We willingly submit to His influences in our lives.

Obedience without surrender is not true commitment. Obeying the Bible does not mean that we have surrendered and submitted to its principles. Obedience without surrender is just duty and lip service. It is doing Christian things because we feel we have to. Chances are slim that you will stay committed to something just because you feel it is your duty.

The Lord is asking for every part of your life. He is asking that you surrender your life to Him, not just perform spiritual duties for Him.

‘So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1st Corinthians 10:31).

Commitment: Deciding to Follow 4

BENEFITS OF BEING IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

A commitment to Christ is a challenging process indeed, but there are some great benefits that will make a positive difference in your life. Consider the following:

1. True sense of direction.

2. A peace about your life.

3. Knowing that what you are doing is right.

4. Purpose and meaning for your life.

5. A life that has identity and fulfillment in Christ rather that in personal accomplishments.

APPLYING COMMITMENT TO YOUR LIFE?

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF TOTAL COMMITMENT

& Matthew 27 – Christ’s commitment

& Matthew 10 – Our commitment

& Acts 7 – Stephen’s commitment

& Acts 16 – Paul and Silas’ commitment

& Matthew 14 – John’s commitment

& Acts 14 – Paul and Barnabas’ commitment

PUTTING COMMITMENT INTO ACTION

Although commitment will cost you something, it is not something to ignore because of its cost. You can be a committed person to the Lord. The people of Scripture that committed their lives to the Lord had to make the same decision you have to make. If you will commit your life to God, the promises of Romans 8:39 will come alive in your life:

“Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This would be a perfect time for you to recommit your life to the Lord. Perhaps, there are areas in your life that you need to surrender to Him. Pray and ask the Lord to help you with your new commitment to Him. Mark 11:24 tells us that He will hear and answer you prayer.

Pray for one another, that we all might have a deeper commitment to the Lord.

COMMITMENT 101 IN CONCLUSION

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Find a person who has few or no friends and try to develop a friendship with them. You may have a chance to lead them to Jesus. Invite him/her to have a meal and to attend church with you. Meet his/her need right where it is. Give a name and a short report on your experiences. This project is ongoing until the end of the 101 series; however, the name of the person is turned in next week.

2. Memorize the following:

& Matthew 10:38, 39

3. Write a two-page report on the areas of your life that the Lord is challenging you to become more committed to and why you feel the Lord is dealing with you in these areas. Be specific and put a lot of thought and prayer into this assignment. The paper should also be your prayer for the week.

4. Read your Bible at least 10 minutes per day. In addition to the Bible reading you are already doing each day, read the following:

& Day 1 - Matthew 27 – Christ’s commitment

& Day 2 - Matthew 10 – Our commitment

& Day 3 - Acts 7 – Stephen’s commitment

& Day 4 - Acts 16 – Paul and Silas’ commitment

& Day 5 - Matthew 14 – John’s commitment

& Day 6 - Acts 14 – Paul and Barnabas’ commitment

5. Pray at least 10 minutes per day. Focus your daily prayer by submitting yourself to the Lord each day. Submit at least three areas of your life that you need to commit to Him.

6. Complete Accountability Sheet.

7. Contact your discipleship partner at least one time this week outside of church. Discuss how you both see your commitment growing.

8. Complete the sermon notes for every service you attend, a minimum of one.