The Committed Christian

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1

You get that phone call from a loved one. Quickly answering the phone you say, "Hey, let me call you right back," and hang up. An invitation to a friend's party comes in the mail, but you can't attend because you have a previous engagement. The play your child is in is tonight, but you have to get that project finished at work. Many people have experienced these circumstances or ones similar to them their entire lives. In an effort to produce for their loved ones, they have sacrificed them on the altar of commitment to what are perceived to be works done for them. Being a committed Christian has been described as Jesus telling us that "every fiber of our being, every facet of our lives must be committed to loving and serving God." Often times, in our pursuit of being the "committed Christian," we end up being so focused on what we are doing for God that we have no time for Him; the one who truly loves us. One author describes this type of Christian as follows: "He is the super-spiritual man who gets up every day at 4:00 a.m. so he can pray for four hours. Then he reads his Bible for four hours. He goes to work (at which he is tops in his field), where he effectively shares Christ with everyone in his office. He teaches several Bible studies, goes to church every time the doors are open, and serves on several committees. He is also a wonderful spiritual leader at home - a sterling example of a loving husband and father, who leads stimulating family devotions every day for his "Proverbs 31" wife and perfect children." Now, this is an obvious exaggeration, but it makes a great point. This only leads to burn out and in many cases leaves a person feeling further from God then when they first became a Christian. Yet, this is what many would describe as being a "committed Christian."

However, our "commitment" to God is not found in how much we are doing, but in how much God, in Christ, has already done. Paul describes being a "living sacrifice" as our "spiritual service of worship." How do you become a living sacrifice? You become a living sacrifice by resting! In Hebrews 4:9-11 we read, "So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience." Notice how it says not resting is an act of disobedience? Often times being a "committed Christian" is equated to being "obedient" to God by what you are doing. If you want to be "obedient" to God, rest from your works. There is nothing wrong with getting up early for Bible study, being the best at your job, witnessing to coworkers, going to church, leading studies and being the spiritual leader of your household. However, what is your motivation? If you are doing these things to prove you are a "committed Christian" your motivation is wrong. When you understand what resting in Christ means your motivation will change. When you realize you are totally accepted by God, completely forgiven by Him, unconditionally loved by Him and have been given everything you need for life and godliness you will enter into the rest He has called every Christian into. Instead of your flesh motivating you to get something you may not believe you have, the spirit of God will remind you that you already have everything in Him through His indwelling Holy Spirit. This will lead to you bearing the fruit of the Spirit which to the average person make you look like a "committed Christian" when in fact it is God living out His life in and through you because you are resting in His finished work. The result will be you finally having time to enjoy your God, love Him and receive His love.