Introduction
Crooked generation?
– Non-committal spirit of “keeping options opened”
– Whole-hearted commitment is rare
*Threats to our faith living
– Increasing willingness to compromise
– The work of Satan in the world [the culture of the world]
– Sinful nature within us
*Being non-committal is subtle manifestation of idolatry, a sin that is willing to compromise when it comes to God, for the desires of our hearts.
Understanding Biblical Commitment
We are committed to what we love
– Do you love God or the world?
– Are we committed to the right thing?
1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
– The signature mark of a redeemed sinner is love for God
– God demands whole-hearted commitment
- “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37).
– You cannot love both world and God: “friendship with the world is enmity with God”.
- Biblical commitment is more than feelings.
– NOT merely a charged up feeling for God.
– It surpasses feelings.
- Biblical Commitment is practical and visible
– Demonstrated through actions, deeds, and our way of life.
– The motivation behind our actions matters
– We learn about living as committed Christians only because that is the example set forth by our Lord Jesus Christ
Php 2:6-8 though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross)
(1) The willingness to self-sacrifice
– “though in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped… emptied himself… take the form of a servant, born in the likeness of men”
– Christ did not cling unto His honors and privileges of deity to benefit himself
– Christ gave up all, and took the form of a human body
– Christ became a servant
– Christ gave up His very own life in the most ultimate cruel form of death, i.e Cross
– Are we willing to sacrifice what we want/ have, for the Lord, for gospel?
37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Mt 10:37-38
– To follow Jesus is to die to your own self-will, put God above everything,
(2) Obedience to the Lord
– Lord Jesus demonstrated a life of obedience to His Father God
“Php 2: 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”
– A life of obedience to God is a classic hallmark of a true believer.
– Though far from perfect, we must have the willingness to obey
Parable of two sons:
– The hypocrites in Christ do not live up to their talk
– A person’s action ultimately proves whether or not he is obedient to God.
Every time, when you come to the crossroads of doing what He wants or what you want, you’re willing to make the sacrifice and obey Him, by that you love Him.
(3) Strive to live in the holiness of God
2 Co 5: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
– The purpose of salvation: total transformation
– New heart: new desires to obey and reflect his righteousness. [ “go and sin no more”]
– X superficial makeover BUT complete takeover of our lives for His glory
– “Strive” – Be intentional
- Biblical commitment is difficult and costly
– Requires the discipline to say NO when your flesh wants
– Discipleship is costly because it costs you all precious kinships, relationships, and even your life
– Jesus asked us to consider the cost you need to endure because of Him
28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Lk 14:28-36)
Jesus had never watered down the kind of commitment he asks of his followers. Just because we are far from it does not mean that the standard has to be lowered to meet ours, instead, we pray towards it and ask God to help us.
- Biblical commitment leads to life
Matthew 7:13–14, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
2 critical elements that lead to life:
– Gate
– The way
Broad gate and way lead to destruction:
– It is popular
– HARDLY any boundaries, tolerance of every conceivable sin, no change in life.
– It is the natural choice, the choice adored by the world.
– You can bring anything along with it
Narrow gate and the narrow way lead to life:
– They are not popular.
– HARDLY able to squeeze through with all our treasures that we hold onto tightly
– A difficult choice, “foolish” to the world
– You can only rely on God solely
– The treasures in biblical commitment are not perishable
- Divine care
- Develops godly character in you.
- Assurance of our salvation
- Experiencing the living and active grace of God
Will we fall short of this biblical commitment?
– Yes, because we are not yet fully sanctified
– Surety of failure >>> surety of God’s grace
Peter in the Bible is a classic example.
– Peter had not thought about betraying Jesus
– Boasted his loyalty to Jesus
– Followed Jesus throughout His ministry
– Forsaken Christ by denying Him 3x
Christ’s response to his failure:
– Came to find Peter
– Forgave Peter
– Restored Peter
– Re-commissioned Peter
When we fail…
– Seek evidences of God’s works and grace in our lives
– Hold onto the promise of God, turn to Him
– Remember, God is the author and perfecter of our faith
– A true disciple’s faith is not fragile, but dynamic and ever-growing commitment to the Savior
—-
Examine ourselves, pray that we can be renewed in our:
- Commitments towards God
– That makes you a true disciple
– True lordship does not compromise in matters concerning the Lord, because He is of utmost priority
- Commitment towards church and brethren
– How do we show commitment in our community of faith?
- Care about the purity of gospel, and willing to be cleansed by the truth of God
- Carrying each other’s burden
- Be involved in fellowship and mutual encouragement
- If we serve, pray for commitment in serving
- Commitment towards praying
– So that we do not run into temptation
-Not by self-will but divine dependence
-1 The 5:16 -18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- Be a committed steward of God
– All that we have are God’s grace.
-How we steward things given to us is very serious in God’s eyes
– Self-glory vs God’s glory
– Be very delighted that God gives you these things to steward, and use them for His gospel
