To Whom and How Much Are You Committed?
The question which heads this article could possibly be answered in various ways, dependent upon the context. The “to whom” part might very well be a “what”. This is the case with many as their job seems to encompass their entirety. Their whole focus seems to be the course of labor and whatever they might accomplish (materially) through having the job. Their commitment seems to be the acquisition of material goods to ensure their perceived future. Does this not remind us of a certain Bible character? It should. The parable of the “rich fool” of Luke 12:16-20 is a direct result of the warning of Jesus in (Luke 12:15). Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
This rich fool lost his soul because of his misplaced commitment. So are all who fail to have the proper commitment toward God as the Lord stated in Luke 12:21 - So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. This is not to say that we are not to have some commitment to the necessary labor required to sustain us through life. God never intended that man be lazy or slothful. In fact, upon creating man, Gen. 2:15 states that God put man into the Garden of Eden “to dress it and to keep it.” In the N.T. we find in 2Thess 3:10, the commandment: that if any would not work, neither should he eat. Work is important, but it is not our life. Our job(s) cannot save our soul.
Some are also quick to point out commitment to family. We know there is a place for this as the N.T. clearly teaches. 1Tim 5:8 ties in to the “work” aspect of life as the passage instructs: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Eph. 6:2 reminds one to “Honour thy father and mother”, and Eph. 6:4 instructs that one is to bring up their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Are we not to be committed to family? Yes, we are. Family is very important, and this requires a serious commitment, but one’s family cannot save one’s soul.
In the Matthew account of the “Limited Commission” we find that Jesus taught that commitment to family, while important, could cause one to be unworthy of Him. In fact as Matt 10:37-38 clearly shows, nothing is more important than following the Lord. Jesus said: He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. The Commitment of these apostles had been made to the Lord, and nothing was to prevent them from keeping it. The focus should be to put first things first.
This seems to be a “principle eternal” with God. When He first gave a written Law to man, In Exo. 20:3, as He gave Moses Commandments for God’s people Israel, God said: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” It was the first written Command and showed its great importance. There are many who have allowed their commitment to jobs, family, hobbies, or various other things to become ‘gods’ to them. However, according to Eccl. 3:1-8, God has given sufficient time to do all that “needs” to be done. In fact, per verse 13, the ability to “eat, drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor” is the “gift of God ”. Would God expect that any gift of His to mankind take a place of greater importance than God Himself? I don’t think so.
God also instituted marriage in Gen. 2:24, and is a gift from God to man. This is a serious commitment between a man and his wife. They pledge their love one to another and in so doing, they ‘vow’ to each other. But more importantly, they also made that vow before God. In Num. 30:2, as Moses spoke to the heads of all the tribes of Israel, he reported to them what the Lord Commanded. This would apply to all vows, including marriage. He said: If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. Sadly, these vows are often broken over trivial issues, mis-placed commitment and so-called irreconcilable differences. The marriage commitment is a most important vow. Yet, there is a commitment that is of greater importance, because even marriage cannot save your soul.
The greatest commitment one can make is to God in regard for their soul. One of the best passages I know on this is 2Tim. 1:12b as Paul was directed to write to his young helper. He penned: “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” Paul had committed his soul to God when he obeyed the gospel and vowed to remain faithful. Paul proved his fidelity to God in his dedication to God in accordance to God’s Word the rest of his life. We never have to wonder about God’s Commitment to those that love Him and keep His Word. In Heb. 13:5b we read: “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Now, ask yourself, “to Whom, and how much are you committed ”? Will you not fully submit yourself to God in obedience to His Word? One cannot be partially obedient to God and be committed to Him. One cannot be a little devoted to God and expect a reward in heaven. Examine your life against God’s Word. Then do as God Commands. Do as God requires in Rom. 12:2a. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Commit yourself to God with all you have by becoming a new creature (2Cor. 5:17), & remain faithful (Rev. 2:10).
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
