LifeLink Devotions for Wednesday, May 1, 2024

The life principle we are reviewing today is this: Faith results in commitment.

As God works to build our faith, and we learn to trust Him in all circumstances, the product of that will be a deeper and stronger commitment to Him and His purpose. This commitment involves the following things:

1.   Denying self

2.   Taking up the cross

3.   Following Christ

These are huge issues when we seriously consider their implications and ramifications. To deny self means we must sacrifice our best for God’s best, which at times feels like the worst that could happen. Then, when we are feeling like we’ve lost something significant – our pride – we are told to pick up a burden, a cross, and carry it down a road that leads to more loss and death. Why would we want to do that?

The risks of that commitment should not be a huge factor because the benefits will be so overwhelming to us. What are the benefits of this level of commitment?

1.   Experiencing the Fulfillment of life – and realizing that fulfillment has nothing to do with the value we get from the temporary and the tangible but everything to do with our identification with God who is permanent and eternal.

2.   Discovering the Purpose of life – and realizing that it has nothing to do with the goals and agendas of the world’s system but everything to do with the glory of God.

3.   Experiencing the Power to live life – and realizing that it has nothing to do with what we have and what we know but has everything to do with Who we know and the hope that is in us because of our faith. That hope strengthens and preserves us no matter what the risk.

I know, we still seem to want material benefits, but go back a consider the incredible satisfaction of the ones God has provided. Can there be anything better?

Now, let me ask a very searching and revealing question about the depth of our commitment to God in faith. Consider this carefully before you answer.

Am I so convinced that my faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient for all things, and that my commitment to Him is so real, that I can say to Him at any time of any day, “Whatever you choose to do with my life is exactly the way I like it?”

One of my former elders, when asked about a task that he did not necessarily want to be involved in, responded this way: “Whatever way you do it is exactly the way I will like it.”  God has really impressed that statement on my heart as the one I need to be able to make to God in every circumstance. It will test my level of faith and commitment. Try it! Can you sit still and not get involved when God asks you to? Can God send you anywhere, for any purpose, and you will be totally satisfied, even if it results in loss or death, because you are accomplishing His purpose for His glory?

That’s the kind of faith God is trying to build in us.

Let Him.

Pastor John