Our Total Commitment
Romans 12:1 – 2
Introduction — Doing something that really matters will always come at a cost. At the 4th of July and on Veteran’s day we always think about the high cost of our freedom. Soldiers, sailors, and airmen in untold numbers have died to keep us free, and we need to remember their sacrifice. But have you ever thought about what it costs to start something? Recently, I ran across an article that amazed me when I read it. If it would be all right I would like to share a portion of it with you this evening. This article was written by Kenneth Dodge and was published in Resource magazine.
Fifty-six men signed the United States Declaration of Independence. Of the 56, five were captured by the British and tortured and killed. Twelve others had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons as they fought in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two of his sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the war. One, Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships sunk by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in poverty.
At the battle of Yorktown, British General Cornwallis took over Thomas Nelson’s home for his headquarters. Nelson quietly asked General George Washington to open fire on his home. It was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt. John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying, leaving their thirteen children to flee for their lives. His fields and mill were destroyed. For over a year, he lived in forest and caves, returning home only to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion.
Somehow I think these men must have had a great vision of what might be for them to willingly sacrifice so much to their cause. It is from their sacrifice that all the freedoms that we so often take for granted were born. Theirs was not a spiritual battle, we know that, but they have afforded us the opportunity to fight some important spiritual battles. Let’s think about how we are doing.
In America there are nearly 100,000,000 people who claim to be church members, and that’s a good thing. The problem is that in more ways that we want to think about we are not making the moral and spiritual impact on our nation and in our world that you would think we would be able to make. Have you ever wondered why that is? I have. I wonder why it is that Sunday after Sunday churches are only partially filled? I wonder why so many churches decide that Sunday morning is enough for them. Honestly, the only reason I can come up with is lack of commitment. So this evening I want to talk about commitment for a few minutes. But I have chosen to share this message because I think we have the opportunity to become powerful examples for less mature Christians, and in some ways I think we have failed.
I. Total Commitment to Christ can Only be Measured in Light of God’s Mercy Towards Us
Let’s take a minute to think about the extent of God’s mercy.
Obviously to most of us, thinking about God’s mercy takes us immediately to thoughts of salvation. And honestly, there is no greater demonstration of mercy that Jesus’ willingness to save us. But that not the only way He has shown us mercy, is it?
When God gave us His Word as a guide for our lives He was showing mercy. In 2 Timothy 3 we read “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." (NLT)
That sure sounds like the actions of love and mercy
towards us. He didn’t have to give us the bible. He could have let us try to figure things out ourselves, but I’m sure glad He didn’t.
What about prayer? Isn’t that an act of mercy as well? It baffles my mind to think that God would take the time to even listen to my prayers let alone answer them. Prayer gives us the opportunity to open our hearts to someone who will never turn away from us. The ability to pray has to be an act of God’s mercy because it affords us the opportunity to get things right when they’ve gone wrong.
This all being true, the question comes to mind that if we are really committed to Christ, and to His way for our lives…Why don’t we tell more people about the salvation that God offers? Why don’t we read His word more fervently and obey it more closely? Why don’t we pray as our first option rather than our last?
We like to say that we must sure be committed to Christ, but in view of God’s mercy—are we?
II. Total Commitment Requires…Total Commitment
Notice what Paul writes to the Romans next in verse 1, he says “…offer your bodies as living sacrifices.”
He is asking from them a total commitment of life and
livelihood to things of God.
You know, those guys who signed the Declaration of Independence all probably knew that they were in many ways putting their necks in a noose by signing it. At the bottom of the document is John Hancock’s name bigger and bolder than any of the others. He evidently didn’t want anyone to mistake his commitment to what he was doing. Christians could learn a lot from that.
There are a lot of so called Christians these days that want it both ways. They want to live according to the world’s way sometimes and God’s way sometimes.
They are kind of like Ananias and Sapphira of Acts 5. They are ready to join in when it comes to saying, but bail out quick when it comes to doing.
Lord knows we don’t need any more of that kind of
inconsistency. If the cross doesn’t teach us anything else, it teaches that total commitment requires total commitment.
Let me tell you what total commitment is all about.
Total commitment is not going to church—even if you go every time the door is open. Total commitment is not giving a tithe on every dollar you make. Total commitment is not visiting the sick in the hospital.
Total commitment isn’t a lot of things we think it is.
Total commitment is everything I have just said, and on top of that offering every moment and every resource of your life to the work of the Savior.
I pray that not a single one of you ever read Romans 12:1 again without remembering that total commitment requires total commitment.
III. Total Commitment Means that You Are Not Afraid to be Different
In verse 2, the Bible is basically telling us that as Christians we have the responsibility not to pattern our lives after the world, but to pattern them according to God’s will.
It’s right here where a whole bunch of us fail, because being different can bring you a whole peck of trouble.
Being different means that you might be criticized and not be understood. Being different means that you are not going after the same things everybody else is. Being different may not be “cool” to some, but it is that kind of commitment that will change the world.
Let me give you some examples of what I think the bible is talking about when it challenges us to be different.
Love instead of hate.
Forgive rather than forsake.
Accept rather than reject
Do something about injustice rather than ignoring it
Don’t be a hypocrite, but worship, sacrifice surrender and serve with a heart that is devoted wholly to God.
When we are willing to live different lives that honor and glorify Christ we are revealing to the world the loving plan of God to bring all mankind unto Him.
Conclusion — There needs to be a revival of commitment among God’s people. We need to be committed to live up to the standard of God’s mercy, to not be casual but to make a total commitment, and we need to commit to be different for the cause of Christ. And it needs to happen among all of us. Pastors, deacons, Sunday School teachers, worship leaders, and every person who sits in the pews needs to be demonstrating what real commitment is all about. Without it, we can only think about what might have been…if we had only tried it God’s way.
Let’s pray together
