A Life of Purpose and Commitment

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deut. 30:1919I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19)). “Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways” (Prov. 3:3131Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. (Proverbs 3:31)). “Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good” (Isa. 7:1515Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. (Isaiah 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. 19:88And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord. (Exodus 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. 24:77And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. (Exodus 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. 6:1111But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1 Timothy 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 4:3434Jesus saith unto them, My meat 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 9:5151And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly 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 12:2727Now 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.
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. 11:24-2524By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (Hebrews 11:24‑25)).
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. 11:66But 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. (Hebrews 11:6)). Sadly, many in the “great house” of Christian profession (2 Tim. 2:2020But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 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 20:3131But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31)).
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. 119:1111Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)). “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:1313I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 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. 11:32-3532And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (Hebrews 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. 11:36-3936And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (Hebrews 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)