Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37, NKJV)
A dedicated employee feels financial panic when her employer terminated several long-term employees without warning. A marriage rocks on the brink of divorce when one partner reconsiders the pledges made during their wedding ceremony. A once-devoted church member now misses services more often than he attends.
As we observe situations such as these, it’s easy to question, “Why? What happened to commitment? Where is their loyalty, their dedication?”
Successful relationships require commitment, whether between marriage partners, employee and employer, friends, or God and man. Mutual trust, loyalty, respect, and acceptance are essential and further strengthen the bond between the two parties.
LEVELS OF COMMITMENT
We frequently hear people refer to “levels of commitment.” This term puzzles me. By the very definition — a pledge, promise, assurance, vow — it would seem one is either committed or not committed. Is it even possible to give half a promise, a “sort-of” vow, or a “maybe” assurance? Truthfully, a partial commitment is not commitment at all.
The levels of commitment are listed from lowest to highest.
- I’m not committed.
- I’m willing to let it happen, but I won’t help.
- I’ll try.
- I’ll do my best.
- I’ll get it done — whatever it takes.
True commitment calls for the follow-through of the fifth statement. It says, “I’m in this for the duration. I will finish what I have started. I will make it happen.” Even level four, “I’ll do my best,” gives us a way out. We can shrug and say, “Well, I did all I could, but it just didn’t work. It’s not my fault”
THE GREATEST EXAMPLE
The greatest degree of commitment ever demonstrated was that of Jesus Christ for a lost world. Even before we pledged ourselves to Him, He pledged Himself to us.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NKJV)
No higher price could be offered so that we may share in a relationship with our Creator. Jesus Christ moved beyond “I’ll do my best” into the realm of “whatever it takes.” Hanging on the cross, He cried out in agony, “It is finished.” He reached the ultimate level. He did not waiver, go back on His promise, or offer the excuse, “I did the best I could, but I just couldn’t go to the point of death!” He gave His all. He could do no more.
Not only did God love us before we ever loved Him in return, He promised that His is an enduring love, an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). No circumstance that comes our way can destroy that love or separate us from Him (Romans 8:35-38).
Many of us have made promises that, for whatever reason, we later did not fulfill. Our intentions may have been good at the time, but we did not follow through. That does not happen with God. He has given us “exceeding great and precious promises” (II Peter 1:4). And He faithfully keeps each one.
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (II Corinthians 1:20, NKJV)
God keeps His promises—all His promises! He is totally committed to us. Are we totally committed to Him?
FOR PERSONAL STUDY
During your time of personal Bible study, search out some of the precious promises God has given us. Here are a few to get you started.
| Deuteronomy 33:27 | Psalm 34:19 |
| Isaiah 25:4 | Isaiah 43:2 |
| Matthew 6:33 | Mark 11:24 |
| John 14:1-2 | II Corinthians 12:9 |
| I John 2:25. |
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
