COMMITTED-PART 2

COMMITMENT.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines commitment as follows:

(1)  an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date 

(2) the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled commitment to a cause

Furthermore, the word COMMIT is defined as "to obligate or to bind" as in a contract.

In today's fast paced society, commitment is a word that has lost a lot of its value.  People do not keep their commitments like they used to.  In times past, a man's word was his bond.  A handshake sealed the deal. Not any more.  Even when you have it in writing, with every 'i' dotted and every 't' crossed, those deals are broken.

 How many men and women have stood before God and a congregation of witnesses and vowed...."committed".... themselves to each other til death, only to find a few years down the road that one or the other tossed that commitment aside for something they deemed better?  

 It is not uncommon today for couples to marry and go through the motions of a traditional wedding, saying all the vows of commitment, yet with the mindset of "If it doesn't work, we'll just get a divorce and start over".  Is that real commitment?  I think not.  

 God takes vows and commitments seriously.  

"If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth."Number 30:2 

"That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth." Deut. 23:23 

"Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You," Psalm 56:12 

"Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. " Eccl. 5:5

"But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment" James 5:12 

Yes, there is definitely a difference between just having an "interest in" and being COMMITTED.

Whether in marriage, in exercise, in Bible study, or in any other arena, a commitment is serious business.  Do not enter in lightly.   

January is a time for "New Year's Resolutions".  Most of them fall broken by the wayside before the month is out.  Why?  Because we are "interested in" making changes, but not "Committed".  

This month, I encourage and challenge you to take a look at those things you really WANT to do to make a difference in your life.  Then decide, "Am I committed to this or just interested in doing it?"   As the sign from yesterday said, if you are committed, you will accept NO excuses.  You may stumble.  You may even fall down a time or two.  But you will get back up, dust yourself off and get back on track.  

I, for one, am committed to this Bible study, His Story, My Story.  I want to know the full counsel of the Word of God.  I'm committed to reading all the way through the Bible this year...not just 1/2 way.  What about you?  I hope you will join me!!