Your Commitment to Christ (Strong or Surrendered) - Part One
“And he said to them all, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.’” - Luke 9:23-24 (KJV)
As we reflect and realize the rich reward of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ this week I encourage you to entertain the considerable cost of commitment to Christ. Too many of us are in a culturally-driven coma and are captured by a conscience of compromise and complacency. In addition, the indoctrination of commercialization and the trappings of tradition have trampled on the truth of this Holy Week making us holy weak!
Too many of us allow ourselves and our children to be captivated by a cute cottontail named Peter who is hopping down the bunny trail with his Easter eggs! Determined to delve in delightfulness we dump ourselves into deceitfulness. There is nothing cute about the cross! We are deceived to think that we should direct our children to focus on fancy outfits, fun and frivolous activities. As a result, the influence of the spirit of God in our lives is revoked and we are desensitized to the truth that God's lamb was sacrificed for our sins.
The cross is not attractive to the natural man but it is awesome to all of us that believe. It is the answer to our absolute need for forgiveness and has the power to obliterate Satan’s claims and influence in our lives.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” - 1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV)
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” - Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV)
So if the cross of Christ represents the power of God, why are we not seeing that power displayed today in the American church? There are a number of variables that contribute to a weak and impotent witness of the church today including:
- Hiding the witness of Christ behind church walls.
- Walking in wayward and withering worship.
- Suppressing the truth as opposed to speaking and saluting the truth.
- Pastors emphasizing entertainment and exploiting the flock versus exhorting the flock to evict sin’s ruling influence!
- Siting in silence about sin as opposed to calling out its evil encroachment.
This list is surely not exhaustive. However, I submit to you that our commitment to Christ is a considerable weakness in the church today. Too often our commitment is short-term and too weak. Join me again next week when we will consider and compare and pursue a commitment to Christ that is consistent with His calling in our lives.
Not a Sermon But a Thought,
PBKSR