Matthew 10:37-42, John 10:11-18

It seems that in today's society, that the word commitment holds little or no weight with people. Acts such as divorce, abortion, and adultery are running rampant through our streets and we as a society turn our heads the other way and ignore it. Maybe the problem is that these acts are not seen as a problem, but as normal. Even within the body of Christ there seems to be a tolerance for these things. Many churches have become very complacent. The world has made them immune to the fact that these things are wrong.

We need to bring Jesus into this society. He has the answers to these problems, and even many believers tend to overlook that fact. Jesus has called us to a complete and full commitment to Him. As a matter of fact, He said that whoever loves their mother or father more than Him, is not worthy of Him. Society would definitely have a problem with this. Jesus calls you to take up your cross and follow Him. This means to deny your needs, your desires, and your will. This is what Jesus did when He went to the cross. The night before He was crucified, He prayed for this cup to pass from Him, but He said not my will, but your will be done. That's powerful. If only we as the body of Christ could learn to do that. It is a full commitment, there is no half way. In Revelation chapter 3, Jesus says "I wish you were either cold or hot, but since you are lukewarm, I will spew you out of my mouth." Sometimes people want to serve him on their terms, for reasons such as; when things are going good; or for what they can get from Him; or even because they have friends that do and it is just expected from them. There is a danger in serving him with selfish or impure motives, and it is that when your commitment has the wrong foundation, it can quickly crumble.

The fact that someone says they are committed to God, does not mean they truly are. Commitment must be accompanied by action. In John chapter 10, Jesus talks about being the Good Shepherd. He says, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they do not belong to him and he isn't their shepherd. So the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the
sheep."

Here Jesus illustrates his commitment to us. As our Good Shepherd, Jesus proved his commitment to us with action; He sacrificed his life for us. There may be several people you consider your friends, but would they make that kind of sacrifice for you? Are they that committed to your friendship? Are you that committed to them? Jesus said that there is no greater love than for someone to lay down their life for a friend. If we are his people, and He is our God, then we should have this kind of commitment to Him also. He gave his very own life for us, so that we would not perish, but have everlasting life. Would you do that for Him?

Be encouraged today as you read these words, to take up your cross and follow Jesus. Show him that you are committed to Him. Don't be lukewarm, commit your life to Jesus, and let Him guide your every step.

*Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise.*
-Colossians 3:16

Joshua A. Davis