Commitment – to pledge to a position regardless of circumstance or outcome.
Commitment – Luke 14:25-33
1. Crowds: For the most part - The great crowds that followed Jesus had little regard for spiritual things – they simply liked the “show”.
Commitment to a cause can be the result of “liking the show”.
Often we commit out of a “cult-of-personality” or sense social pressure.
- There is a pressure to maintain a certain status or establish normalcy.
- There is a lean to the common thought or reasoning of the masses – “It’s just easier...”
- There is reassurance in knowing that others are involved.
It is important to not get caught up in the hype of the “crowd” as you make a commitment.
- The first question as you follow the crowd is, “Where is the crowd headed?”
- The second question should be, “Who is in the lead?”
Jesus says, “Can a blind man lead a blind man?”
In truth… Being part of the crowd is not commitment:
Knowing this… Jesus abruptly halts… turns to the crowds and does some “spiritual purging”.
He tells them the first of four RULES about “Committing to Commit.”
1. COST (v26): With any commitment there is a “cost” that is associated. In this case Jesus is saying (v26) “If you don’t hate (“love less”) everything else you will not experience true liberty and peace.”
- If I commit to a particular thing – I sacrifice commitment to something else.
• It is impossible to commit to two things equally – there is always a hierarchy.
In lieu of this examine yourself when circumstances arise.
What comes to mind first, what is most important? Where does your mind shift in any given circumstance? To the kingdom principals (honor, impossibility, forgiveness) or to the carnal principals (fear, limited outcomes, people’s opinions)
• Proverbs 29:25 – “The fear of man lays a snare…”
If I commit to advancing anything other than the kingdom of God my life will be filled with revelation but little understanding:
In Addition – anything outside of Kingdom advancement is temporary and short lived.
“Set your minds on the things above…”
- Relationships; “How can this hurt/benefit me?” OR “What can I give for their benefit?”
- Occupation: “Will this help/hurt me meet my goals?” OR “Am I using my talent to further the kingdom of God?”
- Possessions: “Will this make me feel better/worse?” OR “Will this be used to glorify God?”
Anytime I place importance (count the cost) on elements that are not eternal (for example; how they benefit/harm me) – I have set myself up for lack and frustration.
If there is not a cost (sacrifice) associated with a commitment it has a different name… tolerance.
Tolerance is achieved by those who are not burdened with commitment.
Tolerance is rapt with ease and simplicity – it positions people in the middle of the road where the cost is nominal but death is inevitable.
The bible calls this being “double-minded” and that a person who exists in this reality is unstable in everything they do.
Tolerance prefers (easy) to ME; “loyalty when convenient”, or “As long as something else better does not come along – I’m committed.”
• Rich young ruler… tolerant – I’m sure even blaming Jesus… man, that’s just unfair. Cost by the worlds methods.
• Widow’s mina… committed; despite circumstance, despite what she would prefer. Counted the cost by the kingdoms methods.
2. CARRY (v27) – Commitment is not passive – it takes effort.
There is never a time when a commitment can be laid down to take a break…
If you’re married… you are not able to “not be married for the day”.
Am I able to “not be a pastor” for an hour? Are you able to “not be a human” for an hour?
- What you commit to is what you are –
Carrying your cross asks that you display your commitment publically.
- People will accuse you of living in denial… I’m alright with that.
- People will think you’re too strict… lighten up a little.
- There will be cries of legalism… but there is a difference – legalism is my effort to build favor with God – commitment is my effort to uphold the favor I have received from God.
3. COUNTING (v28): Deliberating before you decide…
Counting while similar to cost is different in the element of “carry”;
- Cost is associated with what I must “give up” (sacrifice do this instead of that) (As there is limited time and resources) in order to fulfill my commitment.
For example; If I want to commit to traveling to Alaska on vacation I am not able to commit to going to Brazil at the same time – I sacrifice one for the other.
- Counting is associated with what I must “do” (time, energy, resources) in order to fulfill my commitment.
To keep this example; counting is determining what I must do to make that trip possible. Tickets, clothing, hotel,
There is wisdom in seeking Godly council before making a decision… so make sure you seek the advice of those who will count honestly and are willing to tell you the truth and not what you want to hear.
- Because you will carry your commitment with you and a cost (sacrifice) is inevitable - when there is commitment it is necessary to decide (at the outset) how much you are willing to do to fulfill your commitment.
• Commitment is not coercion. It is a decision of our soul; (mind, will and emotions).
There is a danger in making a commitment out of a place of need… or make a rash vow to impress those around us…
- Not counting the cost of a rash vow has eternal consequences.
- Not reflecting on the cost of a behavior can effect you for years to come.
• Talk to the person who has said yes to the spouse who said they would change… and have not.
• Discuss with the person who has struggled with alcoholism the Thursday night of drinking that lasted 17 years.
4. CONSEQUENCES: (v29-32) The first 3 rules of commitment are important in lieu of the last rule; you should think about the cost, know that you will carry your commitment and consider what you are willing to do
Because if you do not follow through on your commitment – there are far reaching consequences.
- “All who see it will mock and say, ‘this man began to build and was not able to finish.’”
- Hebrews 6 – Once you commit… you are stuck. And while you may create an excuse as to why you are no longer “able” to fulfill your commitment – the truth remains - It is impossible for those who have been enlightened to ever go back to the place they once were.
So why am I placing this in a series on Real Relationships?
I am convinced that God is looking for individuals that can commit.
- Jesus says, “Let what you say be simply ‘yes’ or ‘no’; anything else more than this comes from evil.”
Meaning, if I break what I have committed to, I am partnering with evil. What is the result?
- Because others will eventually not trust me… there is death of relationship.
- I destroy my reputation.
- I kill (emotionally, physically, spiritually) the lives of others.
Sound familiar?
Yeah… Satan – Steals, kills and destroys.
The inability to commit is founded on a mindset that does not consider the eternal.
- If this is all I have… I will wait (won’t commit) until the “best” comes along – or I’ll change my mind if something appears to be “easier” or more appealing.
By not committing you develop a mindset that is never “content”
Commitment proclaims that I am content with what I have decided and will remain content despite circumstance or outcome.
So right now… consider the eternal – consider the last day of your life. In consideration of that are you able to say… I have fulfilled my commitments?
Here is the great news – you’re still here – you have a chance to recommitment and from this day forward to fulfill your word.
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