A Call to Commitment

In Romans 12:1-2, the Apostle Paul issues a clear call for commitment when he says,

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Why do you suppose that there are close to 100 million church members in America yet they are not making more of a moral and spiritual impact?

Why is it that on Sunday morning thousands of churches have more empty pews than full?

If Christians really believe in a real heaven and a real Hell, how can we be so silent? The answer to all of these questions is tragically simple! God’s people have made a decision about Jesus….but have never made a commitment to Him.”

There is of course a difference between a decision and a commitment. Perhaps this cannot be seen any clearer than it is in the failure rate of marriages in America.

The same is true in the church. The reason that the church is not making more of an impact in our society is that many church members made a decision about Christ, but have not made a commitment to Christ.

When the pilot of a giant airline is speeding down the runway, there is a certain point where it staying on the ground is no longer an option.

When he crosses that line, he is committed to the air, he will take off or a disastrous crash is forthcoming. The pilot can no longer change his mind he is committed.

I want to challenge you to “get off the ground.” And become more committed to Christ and the church.

Verse 1 says that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Paul says the motivation is to be, remembering “the mercies of God.”
Close your eyes for just a moment think of all that God has done in your life.

Think of the “mercies of God” based on what you have received can you really say that you owe him nothing. “Think about that.”

When we reflect on the goodness of God how can we be anything other than committed.

It is impossible to be “sort of committed.” You are either committed or you are not committed.

“There is a story told about a pig and a chicken walking down the road together. As they walked along they read a sign advertising a breakfast to benefit the poor. The chicken said to the pig, “You and I should donate a ham and egg breakfast.”
The pig replied, “Not so fast, for you it would just be a contribution, but for me it would be a total commitment.” The pig at least understood that it is not possible to offer a partial sacrifice; neither is possible to offer a partial commitment.

To commit ourselves to God means that we are to yield ourselves to him, surrender to him, abandon ourselves to him, entrust ourselves to him and place ourselves at his disposal.

Verse two says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…”
Paul is saying, “Do not allow yourself to adopt the fashion of this world, to be forced into its mold.

This is a work of the Holy Spirit but it requires cooperation on the part of the believer.
The end result is that you will discover what the will of God is. It all begins with commitment.

Commitment to Personal Growth

We are called to commit ourselves as disciples. Disciples are learners.

We should never reach a point in life at which we are no longer learners.
We never reach a point in life at which we have arrived.

Even Paul said about himself in Phil 3:12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

We are called to commit ourselves as disciples. Disciples are learners.

Make a commitment to continue to grow spiritually.
Take positive steps to do so.
Start a Bible reading plan.
Set aside time each day to pray.