110 Percent!

“110 Percent!”

During the post-game interview, the athlete says, “Yes, we gave it our all. We gave 110 percent. We’ve been preparing a long time, and we left it all on the field.” Such sports cliches ring in the ears of sports enthusiasts. We want to know “our team” is committed to success. We want to know they are well-prepared. We want to know they gave it their all.

Yet how many of us are willing to give the Lord what we want from our favorite team? Com- mitment! Preparation! Effort! Jesus certainly expects no less from us: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). As Christians we should commit to being all that God would have us be. Consider this kind of commitment in various areas of life.

Commitment to Christ means commit- ment to His word. Jesus came “that they may have life, and that they may have it more abun- dantly” (John 10:10b). Do you want to have true life in the Lord now and in heaven? Then absorb the spiritual nutrients found only in the word of God. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Read, study, meditate, and follow His word. In committing yourself faithfully to scripture, you are pointed heaven- ward.

Commitment to God means commitment to prayer. Jesus taught, “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Paul wrote: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). It is truly said that in Bible reading God speaks to us, and in prayer we speak to Him. May we speak to our loving, just heavenly Father with great frequency and fervency.

Commitment to God means commitment to pure living. This world may be full of sin, but we should strive to live better. “The works of the flesh are evident” (Gal. 5:19-21); may we rather embrace, “the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22,23), for, “against such there is no law” (v. 23). God is holy, and He expects us to strive for the same (1 Pet. 1:16).

Commitment to God means commitment to serving others. Recall Jesus’ description of final judgment in Matt. 25:31-46. While there are many facets of our lives that will be scrutinized in that day, Jesus singled out matters of service to others in this great passage. In that day He will condemn some because, “I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me” (Matt. 25:42,43). When they respond by asking when they ever saw Him in those conditions, Jesus’ reply is: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me” (v. 45). Being servants is very important.

Commitment to God means commitment to the local church. While Paul would not be in Jerusalem for an extended time, he still wanted to identify with them while there (Acts 9:26-29). The local church is our local spiritual family. Identity with that family is vital to our spiritual growth and to that of others. Elders in a local church watch for our souls, yet if we refuse to identify with the local congregation, what are we saying about this work God has given them? Every member of the local congregation is vital, and God wants all of us helping each other by making such a commitment. Be one upon whom the congrega- tion can count - like Paul.

Commitment to God means commitment to family. God’s plan for the family affects every member. He wants husbands and wives commit- ted to each other to further one another’s spiritual growth (1 Pet. 3:1-7). He wants parents using their considerable influence to raise their children for the Lord (Eph. 6:4). Timothy’s mother and grandmother certainly took this seriously (2 Tim. 1:5), and notice what a good man Timothy became through their influence! God wants children committed to their parents - honoring father and mother (Eph. 6:1-3). Make a commitment to God by being the right kind of family member.

“110 percent!” That is how much commitment we should give our God. May we put Him above all else. In doing so, we give those around us the best opportunity to enjoy God’s rich blessings in Christ. Let’s shine our lights for God with com- mitment to Him reflected in all aspects of our lives.

Related

Abundant Life: September 2008

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• Vessels of Clay by Margaret Good