Extreme Commitment

I have asked the church to develop extreme commitment to God at Fairfax. Regardless of who the people are, the distance to and from the church, the timing of the service, or what Fairfax offers and lacks, I have asked for "EXTREME COMMITMENT". Am I seeing some people within the body of Christ at Fairfax walking with God? A very few, yes!! The word, "commitment" is often misunderstood among the body of Christ. They are thinking, "Ok, I am a "baptized" believer and attend the "name" church. That's not commitment. Commitment is more than just a name or a confession you've made before God and people.

Two brothers of mine came up to me discussing about a "vision" they had together. They wanted to provide a ministry that provides a "spark"! Each and everyone of us need series of "sparks" every now and then! It is extremely easy, again I say this, extremely easy, to simply let the fire for God die down and give up. When that happens, the commitment you promised to God has ceased! Many of us are often offended by another brothers' or sisters' rebuke or criticism because they see something dying in them. They are doing all they can to glorify God by providing a spark on another instead be brushed away by their lame excuses.

So what does Jesus really want from us? He wants the big "C"! In Luke 14:33, "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple." His challenge was TOTAL COMMITMENT! I believe you know what Jesus is trying to tell us in Luke 14:33. What do you do on Sundays? Do you follow Jesus or your kids? Do you follow Jesus or your friends? Do you follow Jesus or your plans? Do you follow Jesus or self? You may say, "Oh, my friends are in town so I must entertain them." You have failed to regard God as God instead regarding your friends as gods. True! If you want to entertain them, the church is the place to be, not to "entertain them" but to show Jesus to them. You're setting an example to your friends that God comes first! And you're glorifying God!

I know God doesn't appreciate "wishy washy" Christians. They aren't sure where they stand. They stand on God sometimes. Other times, they stand on sand! They say one thing, "I am committed." then do the other, the opposite. Believe me, I see "ALOT OF THESE TYPE OF CHRISTIANS!" It's really sad because they don't realize they are blind to themselves thinking what they are saying is true. If you're committed to a church, that's the church you're committed to, no other. If you're bouncing from one church to another, pick one and stay there. Childrens don't have two fathers or two mothers or two sets of siblings. Childrens that have one parent is like a Christian that belongs to one church.

So what does Jesus want from us in our everyday lives? He wants us to be committed to:

BEING MOVED WITH COMPASSION......
"Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." " Mark 1:41 (nas) Many of us are not as compassionate as Christ is! Christ is still a compassionate God! When we're not compassionate, we're not an understanding person. We're not a good listener. We're not living in obedience to His commands. We're not living the Christ-like life.

BEING CHRIST'S EXAMPLE......
"So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? "You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."" John 13:12-15 (nas) Notice in the verse above, "..that you also should do..". All Christians should imitate Christ but often failed to do so. We neglect this simple command of Christ. He gave it to you then we simply stow it away. We do not examine Christ's life in the gospel and live like Him.

All I ask from you for the Lord is to increase your commitment to God. Not only that I am seeing the life each of you are ensampling, God is!

"As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11 (nas)

People must be taught to make wise commitments. Otherwise, they are planted in a very difficult soil, "'The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.'" (Luke 8:14) To many people the barrier to spiritual growth is not the lack of commitment, it is overcommitment to the "wrong things"! Open your eyes, today, and see where you stand! If you're frustrated with church, your priorities are probably whacked out of order! As Christ said, "Follow me..", are you?