I once heard someone say: “The difference between ‘commitment’ and ‘involvement’ is like the eggs-and-ham breakfast – the chicken was ‘involved’, but the pig was fully ‘committed’.”
By Terrell Brinson
Albert Einstein once said, “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the commitment it deserves.”
It used to be that two gentlemen could agree on a purchase…make the deal and commit to a price…shake hands and…you could count on it! You could take it to the bank. A man’s “word” was something you could depend on.
Not quite as true today.
Commitment is a word that is almost obsolete in the world we live in today. When you look up the word commitment in the almighty Webster’s, commitment means to: Show loyalty; duty or pledge to something or someone.
Personal commitment is self-imposed, and is often a pledge or a promise to one’s self for personal growth.
Commitment is a two-way street!
I made a commitment with Debbie, my wife, 33 years ago this April. We shook hands, and the deal still stands.
Without commitment, our world is in trouble!
For example:
What if our Armed Forces were not committed?
What if our police forces were not committed?
What if our teachers were not committed?
What if our doctors were not committed?
What if GOD was not committed to the salvation of humankind?
Let me assure you that GOD IS committed to the salvation of humankind, so much that He developed a plan before the world was created. He implemented the plan when the fullness of time came, and completed the plan when Jesus stated; “It is finished,” as He hung between heaven and earth on the Cross.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to Him. We could never achieve that level of commitment, but we are challenged to do more than we are doing now.
Songs are even written to remind us of our obligation and the need of commitment.
For example:
1. Souls are crying, men are dying; won’t you lead them to the Cross? Go and find them, Help to win them…Win the lost at any cost.
2. My house is full, but my fields are empty…Who will go and work for Me today? It seems my children all want to stay around my table…But no one wants to work in My field…No one wants to work in My field.
3. Until All Have Heard…the name of Jesus, Until all have heard….the CALL of Christ. We will carry the Cross…No matter the cost…We’ll hold His banner high! We will go in His name…Until All Have Heard!
Without commitment:
Children would be raised in the streets. Many of you have seen the results of that.
The elderly would be left to die alone.
The sick would have no one to look after them.
No marriage would last.
Yes, commitment costs us, but nothing is expensive if its value is far greater than what you pay for it.
2 Chronicles 16:9, “The Lord’s eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
In other words: the Lord is looking for those who will commit themselves fully to Him. Then, when He finds the committed, He promises to strengthen them.
In the past 15 years with World Missions, I have traveled to 74 nations of the world, been with many missionaries, stayed in their homes, preached in their churches, and ate at their tables. Missionaries are some of the most committed people I have ever met in my lifetime. They have accepted the call to ministry, have gone to the field, and are committed to battle against Satan all around the world. They have left the comfort of their homeland, closest family members and best friends, to fulfill the “Call-To-GO” that Christ has commissioned us to do.
While on the field, our missionaries face unfamiliar cultures, religions, and ideologies that threaten the very fate of men, women, and children around the world. In some cases, missionaries have given their very lives for the sake of the Gospel.
Now that is the ultimate commitment!
Abraham is oftentimes described as a missionary. He is described in Hebrews as “not knowing where he was going,” but fully committed to God. Abraham was not committed to:
Owning land
A missions project
Building an orphanage or Bible school
He was committed to communing with God! Everywhere Abraham went, He built an altar! Abraham was fully commited to God and followed in total obedience – and God honored Abraham.
Today, we honor our missionaries all around the world who have committed themselves to Christ. During this new year, let us all determine to be more committed than ever before to Christ and His Call to the church and its mission.
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R. Terrell Brinson is Missions Representative for Church of God World Missions.
© 2011 Church of God World Missions