A few years ago an individual asked, “Name three words that best describe or summarize the focus of your life in Christ and service to God.” My answer was, “Commitment, Commitment, Commitment” (Philippians 1:27; Philippians 3:7-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-8).One of the best defining statements regarding the word commitment that I‘ve seen, is authored by Ann Moss, Vice President and a professional coach for Mastermind Pros, an online marketing business school: “The surest measure of commitment is in the personal sacrifices you are willing to make to achieve your goals” (source).
Knowing He was going to be crucified on the cross (Matthew 16:21), our Lord defined commitment in a similar way: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). Denying self through personal sacrifice, and taking up the cross of possible suffering, shame, and reproach in order to successfully follow our Lord, is one of the most difficult challenges Christians face. Our family and friends may disown us. We may lose our employment. We could even face severe persecution one day from our own government (Acts 16:16-24; cf. Matthew 10:16-17; Acts 5:12-41).
The apostle Paul suffered many things for the cause of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:20-31), and yet remained totally committed to Him (Philippians 3:7-8), even to the point of death (2 Timothy 4:5-6; cf. Philippians 2:17; Revelation 2:10), in order to receive that righteous crown of [everlasting] life (2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12).
Beloved, the question we must ask ourselves is: “To what degree are we committed to the cause of Christ?” Let us seriously “think” about this question, answer it in light of the Scriptures, and then make any necessary adjustments.
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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