Serious Commitment

There is a laziness and lack of concern in today’s Christians. There is a lack of commitment. They use their Christianity like a safety net, asking God to help only when they get into trouble. Commitment requires an understanding of the importance of the cause. Are you committed to the cause of Christ?

1. Serious commitment to Christ requires an exceeding love.
- It must exceed our love for all other relationships. (Luke 14:25)
- It must exceed our love for ourselves. (Luke 14:26)
- Why should we love Christ with an exceeding love? (1 John 4:19; Romans 5:8, 10:9, 13)

2. Serious commitment to Christ requires sacrificial dedication.
- It requires a willingness to bear shame for Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- It requires a willingness to bear burdens and sufferings for the cause of Christ. (Romans 12:2)
- It requires a willingness to die to self.

3. Serious commitment to Christ requires careful consideration. (Luke 14:28)
- We must deliberately calculate the expense of discipleship.
• Consider the time and preparation needed for Bible reading; prayer; service at church, home, community; witnessing, and giving.
- We must consider the spiritual warfare.
• Put on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6) Don’t be out of shape! Prepare for spiritual warfare. (2 Timothy 2:3)

4. Serious commitment to Christ requires somber realization. (Luke 14:28)
- Realize the value of serious commitment. (Luke 14:34)
• Salt preserves and heals. Your life can have that same value to others.
- Realize the worthlessness of a life uncommitted to God.
• When we as Christians become lackadaisical and unsympathetic, God will find a salty Christian that He can use. (1 Corinthians 9:27; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:26)