[Biblemat] S) DISCIPLES WHO ARE COMMITTED

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
files.  Use to the glory of God.

DISCIPLES WHO ARE COMMITTED

     In this land of the free, where Bibles are plentiful and most
of our churches are protected, faith can run awfully shallow
and commitment can stay rather lukewarm.  Let's face it folks
...we can become pretty self-satisfied and self-absorbed as a
result of living in such a self-centered world.  John Ruskin was right when 
he said, "A man who is wrapped up in himself
makes a pretty small package."

     I wonder at times if we're really committed to Christ?  Sometimes I 
question our loyalty and devotion to Christ, and
whether we're really the churh of the Lord Jesus seeing about our Father's 
business?  Think about it.  If we're commi-
tted to Christ, then what matters to Him will matter to us.  Jesus asked, 
"Why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do
the things which I say?" (Lk. 6:46).  The problem is not our lack of 
understanding regarding the principles of discipleship,
but rather our unwillingness to involve ourselves in those
things required of us as disciples.  We're simply not doing 
waht we know we sould be doing (Jas. 4:17).

     As followers of Christ, we must "learn to engage in good
deeds to meet pressing needs," so that we will not be unfruit-
ful (Ti. 3:14).  What this says is that Christianity is not a spect-
ator sport.  He calls us to be committed personally to His Will.
And yet some seem to think that involvement is equal to com-
mitment.  Some think that if we're willing to get involved, that 
must mean we're committed.  Not so!  There's a vast differ-
ence between casual interest and true commitment.  When
we're casually interested in something, we involve ourselves
only when it's convenient.  But when we're truly committed
to something, we accept no excuses.  We involve ourselves
and share in what's taking place even at great sacrifice; when
it's convenient or inconvenient.

     Being a disciple of Christ means following Christ on His
terms, at His command, wherever He leads, and doing what-
ever He tells us to do.  Yet today some of us are much like
the man who said to Jesus, "I'll follow You wherever You go"
(Matt. 8:19).  We are quick to promise; we make huge verbal
commitments, but in reality we don't completely understand
the costs involved in following Christ.  We may be saying with 
our mouths, "I'll follow You, Jesus, wherever You go, as long
as I like the destination."  Or it may be that some of us are
like the other man in (Matt. 8:21).  This man wanted Jesus to
wait until he was free from other distractions.  And yet Jesus
spoke plainly, "He who loves father or mother more than Me
is not worthy of Me.  And he who loves son or daughter more
than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take up
his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who 
finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake
will find it" (Matt. 10:37-39).

     Could it be that what we agree with in principle we some-
times balk at in practice?  Commitment to Christ means we
obey without hestitation.  It means we must submit ourselves
to His Will first and foremost (Matt. 6:33), and our every thought must be 
brought "into captivity to the obedience of
Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).  Remember, Jesus said, "No one, after
putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the
kingdom of God" (Lk. 9:62).  When we say "Jesus is Lord,"
and commit ourselves to following Him, then not anything or
anyone should come between us and total allegiance to Him.
"Worthy is the Lamb tht was slain to receive power and rich-
es and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing"
(Rev. 5:12).

     Let me say a word of exhortation to senior saints.  Where
do we get the mindset that retirement from the workplace 
means retirement from the kingdom of God?  If ever there is
a time when you can become productive in the kingdom, it's
when you retire and have more time.  Don't take a lifetime of
skills, knowledge, and ability that you've accumulated and
decide tht at the age of sixty-five you can just pack them up
and fold them away.  Use them to the glory of God and the
spiritual benefit of others.

     I like what Ralph Sockman once said; "Give the best that
you have to the highest you know, and do it now."  How about it folks?  Are 
we truly giving our best to the One who
loved us enough to die for our sins?  Is our obedience to Him
without hesitation?  Are we disciples committed to Christ?
-------- Paul White in Biblical Insights, Vol. 6, No. 9, Sept. 2006.

     
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