“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deut. 30:19). “Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways” (Prov. 3:31). “Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good” (Isa. 7:15).
Moses presented to the Lord’s people a clear choice: a life committed to obeying Him or not. Deciding for God meant that they must nourish themselves with the rich and sweet as Isaiah recognized, to gain strength for resisting the enemy.
Although Israel said they would follow the Lord (Ex. 19:8), history shows that often they did not eat the butter and honey or walk according to their profession (“all that the Lord hath said will we do”; Ex. 24:7). But such failure was not only Israel’s; in the New Testament, even dear Peter denied the Lord after promising to follow Him, even to death.
While our Christian life may often demonstrate such tendencies to stumble off track, purpose of heart (commitment) to follow our Savior in obedience is so important. “Thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Tim. 6:11).
The Perfect Example
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is our best and perfect example of a fully committed life. Only He could say in absolute perfection, “My meat [purpose] is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34).
We also read of His perfect commitment: “It came to pass, when the time was come that He should be received up, He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).
“Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour” (John 12:27).
Purposing, Refusing, Following
Scripture supplies a host of human examples for our encouragement. Let’s consider once again a few of those well-known ones.
Daniel: “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank” (Dan. 1:8).
Moses: “Refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:24-25).
Caleb and Joshua: “Wholly followed the Lord” (Num. 32:12).
Requirements for True Commitment
There are certain requirements necessary for walking a truly committed path of faith. Here are some to meditate upon.
One must have eternal life: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). Sadly, many in the “great house” of Christian profession (2 Tim. 2:20) walk a “religious” path, yet without a new life which only comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Such a walk cannot be successful; a soul “must believe” (see John 20:31).
One cannot have divided affections: “No man can serve two masters. ... Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). “Choose you this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). The paths of the new man in Christ (indwelt by the Spirit of God) and the old (the flesh) are at cross purposes (Gal. 5:17), always going in totally opposite directions. Following both is impossible.
One who desires to have a committed life must recognize all power comes from above. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psa. 119:11). “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).
The Blessings of a Committed Life
A committed life of faith is a tremendous blessing to individuals, to companions in the path of faith and to the watching world. “What shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson and of Jephthah, of David also, and Samuel and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, [worked] righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, [became] valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again” (Heb. 11:32-35).
Commitment in Difficult Times
In God’s sovereign ways, some of His beloved saints were not (and are not) afforded such victories and blessings. Yet still they followed a committed life of faith, and their purpose of heart has been recorded for all ages as an encouragement to us in these last, dark days. “Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise” (Heb. 11:36-39).
The day is soon to come when all such who have sought to walk by faith with purpose and commitment of heart for the Lord Jesus (whether in balmy times or times of deep trial and persecution) will hear those blessed words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Let us not “be weary in well doing.”
D. Lamb (adapted)