Committed to Christ

Are you committed to Christ? So many people would answer that question with a loud YES. I’m not sure they really understand what that means though. When you are committed to something, you stick with it. It becomes top priority. It takes time, work, and energy. For instance, if you are committed to playing soccer, you will go to every practice, every game, and even kick the ball around on your own. If you are committed to doing well in school, you will study your homework, pay attention in class, and do as many school activities as you can. If you are committed to a person, you spend as much time with them as you can. You want to talk to them often, finding out their likes and dislikes.

So I ask again, are you committed to Christ? Is He the top priority in your life? Do you spend time studying His every word? Do you grab at every chance to spend time with Him? Do you like being around others who also are committed to Christ? How can you say you are committed to Christ if you often choose other activities above activities involving Christ?

Sports are great and are even referred to often in the scriptures. However they are often used to show comparisons to our Christian life. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27- “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”. Winning a track race will not guarantee that we will win the race to heaven. Don’t choose baseball practice over Wednesday night Bible study. Remember that your spiritual well being is more important than the physical.

Although school is very important, it is not as important as studying the Word of God. Ecclesiastes 12:12 says “of making many books there is no end and much study is a weariness of the flesh”. However II Timothy 2:15 tells us to study the Word so that we be approved by God. Which does God say is more important; His Word or our secular studies? Don’t choose homework over coming together to study Gods Word. Maybe it will mean missing a little more sleep that night, or maybe not going to that movie this weekend. Sometimes priorities must be rearranged, but God and Christ should always come first.

Being committed to Christ means that we consider Him first. Before we make a decision, we stop and make sure it is what He would want. We study the Bible to know what He likes and dislikes. This does not just apply to the big decisions in our life. No matter what we do, we turn to Him for guidance and approval. To see if you are truly committed to Christ, ask yourself a few questions.

1. Is this activity going to stop me from attending a worship service or a Bible study?
2. Is the person I am with going to help me get to Heaven? Do they encourage me to study and pray to God? Are they committed to Christ?
3. If Jesus were standing beside me, would he approve of my actions?
4. When I am faced with a difficult situation, do I turn to God in prayer?

Psalm 31:5- “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.”