Is serving Jesus a commitment or a convenience? Many people today do not want to be totally committed to the Lord because it demands too much of them. Let’s be honest: commitment becomes someone else’s responsibility when it in - terferes with our schedules!
According to Webster, “commitment” means “to pledge to some particular course or use.” Commitment to Jesus is more than a definition; it requires my life, my soul, my very being! And it’s not just twice a week or even once a week, but all the time!
Just look at the cross: Jesus was com - mitted to you all the way.
Many are not committed to the things of God, only to what is convenient before God. A clear example of this lifestyle is when someone says, “I go to church on Sabbath morning. Isn’t that enough?”
Webster defines “convenient” as “suited to one’s comfort or ease.”
Are we living a life for Jesus that is suited for our own comfort? Do we want to be committed as long as it is easy? What if Jesus had decided not to die for our sins? Where would our eternity be?
I want us to look at being totally com - mitted to God. This commitment should be a part of our everyday lives, not just something we do when it’s convenient or comfortable.
THE CONVENIENCE OF THE SELFSERVING
The self-serving focus on themselves rather than on God. In Matthew 19:16, we see someone asking Jesus what they need to do to obtain eternal life. Self-serv - ing has to give up something to follow God.
In verse 21, Jesus says, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions . . .” Many today have an uncommitted focus on keeping their possessions rather than having a giving attitude.
In verses 21 and 22, Jesus continues, “Give to the poor, and you will have trea - sures in heaven. Then come follow me. When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” This command doesn’t apply only to mon - ey. Commitment can be giving of your time, energy, and possessions for God. Many of us have idols in our lives that are not money. Maybe it is work, sports, etc. Jesus is telling the rich young ruler (and us) to get rid of such things and focus on serving the Lord and following Him un - conditionally.
Mark 8:36, 37 says, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
The rich young ruler wanted to follow Christ, but he wanted it to be convenient. How about you and me? This young man was looking for a better way to get what he wanted rather than wanting God to make him a better man. Are we looking to get what we want out of convenience rather than wanting God to make us bet - ter Christians?
God does not give up on the self-serv - ing, no matter what the situation is or what you or I have done in the past. God allows U-turns, and today you can make that U-turn in your life.
YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN YOUR WORDS!
Have you ever asked yourself: “Whose job is it to serve God?” Have you ever an - swered yourself by saying, “Well, it is the pastor’s job. He’ll take care of it because we pay him to do it.” If that is your answer, you are lying to yourself. Let’s read what the Bible says about serving the Lord.
First, what is the Bible for? (Read 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.) We are all instructed to work for the Lord! Second, what is the work to be done? Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” We should preach the Gospel to all! Finally, who should serve the Lord? (Read Joshua 24:15.) Being committed to service ought to be the church members’ top priority. Sometimes actions speak louder than words, and God watches both actions and words. While we are still here on earth, we have an opportunity to continue serving the Lord so that He is pleased with us.
If you are not dead, your service to God is not over.
HOW CAN YOU BE TOTALLY COMMITTED TO SERVING GOD?
Do you want to be totally commit - ted to the things of God? Then pledge to focus on a relationship with Christ rather than on other things!
“For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-inlaw—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household” (Matt. 10:35, 36).
The committed focus on denying themselves and following Christ rath - er than loving only themselves. “And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:38). The committed focus on discovering the Source of Life rather than being self-serving. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 10:39). The lives of the committed shine for Jesus! To what, then, should we be committed?
Committed to God (Matt. 22:37). Je - sus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Committed to church (Heb. 10:24, 25). “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of do - ing, but let us encourage one another— and all the more as you see the Day ap - proaching.”
We ought to be committed to the things of the church! It is convenient to attend church once a week, but commit - ment means serving no matter what, no matter when. Life happens and things get in the way, but the Lord never gives us more than we can handle.
CONCLUSION
Are you totally committed to God in every area of your life, or are you conve - niently committed to Him for the sake of your comfort or ease? Jesus is totally com - mitted to us! Are we willing to be totally committed to God?
General Conference Ministerial Association