"A Commitment-Filled Heart”

A Christian’s Heart

“A Commitment-Filled Heart”

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With all the volatility going on in today’s market, with all the ups and downs and wild swings that dominate the headlines, not to mention the soaring inflation rate; many investors are desperately trying to figure out how to invest their money to maximize their return on investment. So, they pull out of one fund and place it in another. They pull out of the stock market and put their monies into the bond market, real estate, or into commodities like oil, gold, or silver.

However, when talking to investment counselors and those who have succeeded in building their financial worth, they give the same basic advice, “Ignore the daily ups and downs and commit to the long term.” And while they’re talking about the financial markets, this is good advice for all of life, especially our spiritual life.

In other words, long-term commitments pay off.

The sad thing, however, is that technology is speeding up the pace of change so much that people are reluctant to make any commitments. We don’t want to commit to a long-term career, investment, marriage, or even in a new computer or telephone. We don’t want to commit to anything, and unfortunately this includes the church.

This attitude may best be summed up in this statement, “I want to keep my options open.” Most people don’t want to feel tied down by making a long-term commitment, because to them, life is one big buffet, and they don’t want to get to the end of the line with their plate filled with the wrong stuff.

This is a tragic philosophy to live by because life cannot be lived without making commitments. You can’t buy a house or rent an apartment without making a commitment. You can’t get married without making a commitment. You can’t even get a driver’s license without making some sort of commitment.

Nothing in life happens without making a commitment. Commitments give our lives direction and purpose, and if we choose not to make commitments, we’ll find ourselves drifting with lives off purpose and out of focus.

There are four P’s in a life of someone whose heart is commitment-filled,  which are power, price, pitfalls, and payoffs.

The Power of Commitment

Nothing affects our lives more than the commitments we make. Commitments have three profound, and powerful effects on our lives.

a.  Reveal Our Values

They show that what we think is important. They show what we value and love. In fact, there is no such thing as love without commitment. If someone says, “I love you,” and they’re not willing to commit to you, then they don’t love you.

If we say that Jesus is important to us. If we say that we love Jesus, but we don’t spend time with Him in His word and in prayer, then it reveals that we really don’t consider our relationship with Him important.

An uncommitted life means that nothing is important. If we don’t make any commitments, we’re saying that the only thing that is important to us is us. Therefore, an uncommitted life is a selfish life.

b.  Shape Our Lives

We become whatever we’re committed to. Our life is the sum total of our commitments. If we believe that making money is the most important thing, then our lives are going to be shaped by that. If we believe that being well liked, popular, or having a good time is important, then that will shape our lives.

Once we choose our commitments, our character follows. Therefore, we need to choose our commitments carefully. Our commitments not only show our values, but they also shape our lives. 

  c. Determine Our Destinies

Our destinies are determined by the commitments we make. The commitments we make not only determine our present destinies, but our eternal ones as well. Our destinies, therefore, need to center upon the commitment we make to Jesus Christ.

The greatest commitment we can make is to Jesus Christ, where we make Him both Savior and Lord. It’s a commitment that will determine our eternal destiny, that is, where we’re going to spend eternity, and when we make this commitment to Jesus Christ, then our eternal destiny will be in heaven. Jesus makes it clear that there is no other way to heaven.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father expect through Me” (Jn. 14:6).

The Second “P” of a commitment-filled heart is the price of that commitment.

The Price of Commitment

There is a price to this commitment we make to Jesus. This commitment will cost.

Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ... For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26 NKJV)