Commitment to the Cause

"14Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

Recently, the 2004 Summer Olympics were on television. People from various countries from all over the world had competed. Day after day, they competed with teams from various nations, doing their very best to win for own countries. These are top athletes who train from the time they are very young. They make it a lifestyle to constantly train. It involved daily discipline and rigorous exercise programs, proper nutrition, daily goals and a commitment to push themselves day by day to become the very best that they can possibly be. They know that to let up on their daily commitment means that they will certainly miss the opportunity of a lifetime to qualify, to compete and to win at the Olympics. And to miss such opportunity and privilege and all of the rewards that go with it results in great disappointment. It can even result in a lifetime of regret and perhaps even bitterness of heart to realize that one has missed a lifetime achievement that can never be recuperated.

If our Olympic athletes know the importance of maintaining daily discipline to reach their goals and dreams, how much more should the believer in Jesus Christ realize the importance of spiritual commitment. How tragic it is for anyone to miss the love and grace of God in holiness. Holiness is not optional for the Christian. Holiness is a divine requirement. And we need to realize how seriously that we need to take it, for the Bible says, "without holiness no one will see the Lord."

We can also take heart in the fact that God will never ask us to do anything that He is unwilling to equip us to do. In training our kids, we teach them step-by-step what is needed to accomplish that which we want them to do. Then when we feel that they know what to do, we trust them with the responsibility to do what is required. Even so, we still oversee the various tasks. And as we see that they can handle more, we give greater privileges as well as greater responsibility. We love them. We guide them. We make sure that they have what they need to complete whatever is needed.

Now, as "His kids," we can rise to the challenge! It may stretch and challenge us many times over. That’s OK! It’s all a part of our constant growing and maturity. We strive for His best! We can accept nothing less!

As I pray today:

1. What does the Bible say?
2. What does the Bible say to me?
3. What am I going to do about it? (Personal application and commitment)

Please note:

You are welcome to share this devotional in your local churches, home fellowship Bible studies, etc., but I suggest that you personalize it. You do not have permission to publicize it or to make money from it in any form. May God richly bless you as you minister for Him with rich spiritual rewards of seeing many souls saved and sanctified for all eternity! Please let me know whatever helpful results you may get from this!

With Warm Sincerity in Jesus’ Love,

Rev. Don Schink, Pastor-Evangelist

Sonlight Ministries

Tijeras, NM