God doesn’t leave us wondering about his expectations for commitments or how to keep them. One of the many things I love about God is that He doesn’t just say, “This is what you should do and how you should do it.” He also provides motivation for WHY (i.e., the results and benefits) we should strive for total commitment in our lives. While there are more, let’s look at four of those:
4 Benefits of Total Commitment
1. Righteousness & Justice
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” (Psalm 37:5-6)
2. Impact
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who year you.” (1 Timothy 4:16)
3. Success
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3)
4. Integrity
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” (Proverbs 10:9)
In a world where commitments seem to be taken lightly, we can choose to stand out by striving toward God’s standard of commitment. In a culture where commitment has become optional based on feelings, we can decide that we will do what we say we’re going to do when we say we’re going to do it.
Someone once said, “There are only two options regarding commitment, you’re either in or you’re out. There’s no such thing as life in between.” Let’s choose to stay committed. Decide with me today to stay in the boat and to live in the “in” and not the “out” or “in between.”
Other posts in this series:
Staying Committed, Part 1 of 5 – Staying in the Boat
Staying Committed, Part 2 of 5 – Great Expectations
Staying Committed, Part 3 of 5 – Biblical Lessons on Commitment
Staying Committed, Part 4 of 5 – Guidelines for Godly Commitment
Mark Allman
Kari,
Sometimes I have to hang on to commitments number one because that is the way I want to live my life not necessarily for the benefits. Number two if the benefits help me stay committed I have to realize I may not experience those benefits right away and I may feel that they are not there. I have to know they will come if I stay all in. My soul aches at times because I do not see the benefits to staying in the boat. I still want to choose to live a committed life regardless if I receive anything or not. I do not necessarily want to be blessed because I do certain things. I want to do those things because I believe in them. I do not want to solely do something for what I will get. I want to live higher than that. If that makes sense.
Kari Scare
Staying connected and committed to God first and foremost really helps with the challenges you talk about. This is how we line our will up with His will. From that, everything else seems to fall into place. I think, for me, it's often a faith issue. I need to increase my faith to trust that He is leading me in the right places with my commitments. I also have had to work very hard over the years to not let my feelings control me, especially with regard to commitments. Still struggle there, but the answers is always more of Him. Thanks for being so transparent here. I get what you're saying and can really relate.
Loren Pinilis
You make a good point that not only does God command us, but he gives us a motivation to follow his command. So meditating on those benefits is part of the way that God strengthens us to commit.
Kari Scare
Knowing the benefits does something for my faith. It helps me overcome feelings and emotions and to make right choices because I know it pleases Him. As I said to Mark, more of Jesus is always the answer, and He gives us so much benefit for knowing HIm more too.
amyinbj
Kari, this is something I've been thinking about a lot — I'm a very committed person, so when it's actually time to make a change (and would be more detrimental to stay) … it's hard for me to make the leap.
Kari Scare
That can be a very tough call to make at times. That's why continual increased commitment to Christ is so important. He gives us the direction we need to make the right choices, that is if we let Him. By staying committed to Him, we can make the right choices in our commitments to ourselves and others. Struggle on my friend, for there is victory in the struggle.
David
How do I get the other parts of this 5 -part series?
Kari Scare
You can get to the other parts in the series by clicking on the links embedded in the headings at the beginning of this post. Let me know what you think of the series! Thank you for reading it, David.
Staying Committed, Part 1 of 5 – Staying in the Boat – Struggle to Victory
[…] Staying Committed, Part 5 of 5 – Benefits of Total Commitment […]
Staying Committed, Part 4 of 5 – Guidelines for Godly Commitment – Struggle to Victory
[…] Staying Committed, Part 3 of 5 – Biblical Lessons on Commitment […]