Personal Commitment
18 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Colossians 4:18 (CSB)
The apostle Paul demonstrated the total dedication required by followers of Christ by asking the Colossians to “remember my chains.” This request showed Paul's full surrender to the Lord and called on the Colossians to support the Lord's mission through prayer for Paul. God expects wholehearted devotion and true commitment from His followers as we live serving Him and engaging with the faith community.
A Personal Commitment to Christ. Make a personal commitment to Christ by dedicating yourself fully to Jesus as Lord and Savior. This decision is made at the moment of surrender and salvation. It involves offering yourself completely to serve the Lord and pledging to follow and serve Him faithfully.
A Personal Commitment to the Community. The Bible clearly states that believers should not neglect gathering with the church (Hebrews 10:25). God calls us to dedicate ourselves to the local church as a place to serve Him alongside others, following His plan and will. Committing to the community involves serving under the Lord’s guidance, with complete surrender and submission to Him. This commitment isn’t driven by personal preferences, likes, or desires, but by being part of God’s plan to reach the world.
A Personal Commitment to the Mission. Following Jesus calls for a dedication to God's mission. We don't create our own mission based on personal ideas; instead, we live in surrender to God's guidance, aiming to fulfill the Great Commission and reach the world for Christ. Remember, the MISSION is truly a CO-MISSION — we are on God's mission and share it with other believers. It's not about our own mission; it's about His mission. It is not our mission alone but the mission of the body.
A Personal Commitment to Participation. We must dedicate ourselves to actively engaging in God’s Kingdom ministry. Many distractions can divert our focus from God’s calling. We often justify our absence by reasons such as being hurt by others, not having a ministry we desire, personal preferences in how things should be done, or a lack of a ministry that meets our needs. However, the truth is that the church exists to glorify and serve God. Our gatherings are intended to strengthen our relationship with Him, so we can live lives that glorify and serve God. Doing so requires a commitment to live for Him, which means surrendering and forsaking personal desires and self-interest. We must make the commitment to participate actively in the local body.
QUESTIONS
Why is understanding the concept of true commitment necessary to genuinely fulfill the calling and expectations of the Lord in our lives?
Why is it critical to make a commitment to action and not merely a commitment to the Lord, people, and to the mission?
