Christians are a committed group.  Through the years, they have shown themselves to be devoted to Christ even to the point of death.  While we do not live in an environment today, at least not in this country, where we are called upon to sacrifice our lives for the Lord, we should be willing to sacrifice our lives to the Lord.  Are we committed enough to do this?  Let us see what this looks like.

First, a Christian is committed to Jesus Himself.  That means he or she is one who willingly does the will of the Lord, putting Him first in their lives.  To the Christian, no one and nothing is more important than serving Christ and obeying His commandments.  This obedience comes joyfully because Christians know how much Jesus loves them, proven by His willing sacrifice on Calvary’s cross.  Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).  Knowing how much Jesus has done for us moves us to obey Him out of our own love for Him, and it does not hurt to know that our reward for doing so is eternal life.

Christians are also committed to the truth.  What truth am I talking about here?  God’s Word (John 17:17).  We should zealously love, defend, proclaim, and uphold the truth at all times.   Paul said, “…I am set for the defense of the gospel” (Philippians 1:17).  That should be the attitude of all of us.  If we are as committed to God and His Son as we should be, we will have this mentality toward the truth. Men are constantly trying to change the Word of God, substituting “I think” for the truth.  Upholding truth should be of the utmost importance to us.

It should also be pointed out that if we are truly committed to the truth, and if we somehow error by taking a stand for a position that is wrong, our commitment to truth will constrain us to change when we see the error of our position. Too many are more concerned with winning an argument or not being wrong than they are in knowing, believing, and standing for the truth. Being committed to the truth sometimes means we must swallow our pride.

Christians are also committed to the Lord’s church.  Jesus said we are to “seek first the kingdom of God…” (Matthew 6:33).  The church that Christ built is a part of this kingdom (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:13).  One becomes a member of the church and a citizen of the kingdom at the same time, i.e., upon obedience to the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16; Mark 1:15).

While one is added to the universal church that was established on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:47), Christians then join a local church (Acts 9:26).  While one has no choice about the church he is added to (for in the universal sense there is only one church [Ephesians 4:4]) one makes a personal decision as to which local church of Christ he will join. Once one makes a choice and becomes a member of a local church, he or she is then obligated to be an active, working member of that church.

One who is not committed to the local church is not committed to God.  Are you committed to your local church? Do you use your talents to help the local church and further the cause of Christ on earth? If you can sing, you should help lead the singing.  If you have knowledge of God’s Word and you can teach, you should be teaching in some capacity.  If you have the talent to exhort, you should be involved in exhorting.  If you have a home, you should practice hospitality.  If you have been blessed financially, you should give as you have been prospered by God (`1 Corinthians 16:1, 2).  Every member should do what he or she can in making the local church successful (Romans 12:4-13).   This is another sign of commitment and genuine Christianity.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things