Introduction

Time and time again, I have heard a story that went something like this, “I have tried being a better Christian, but it was too hard. I found myself constantly failing. I am tired of feeling guilty for my actions, no one is perfect, and no one has the commitment to stay the course!”
Does this sound familiar to you? Have you felt this way yourself? Why is it when we talk about commitment, the notion that embeds itself deep within our inner self that says,” You don’t have what it takes, and you are not good enough!” My goal for today’s message is to stomp out the enemy’s accusations in the form of lies and self-doubt. The enemy is crafty and redirects the argument to you and your inabilities instead of the abilities of the one who matters.

Commitment

Today churches worldwide will invite people to commit their hearts to the Lord. As it does, it must remember it is not inviting them to acts of salvation, as some may believe, but to an act of worship. I will show this as we delve into the Bible together. We can easily argue that Jesus was the most committed man on earth. Walking out his life step by step in cadence with God, even unto death. But is this what we need, to be more committed, more steadfast to God? One would believe that this steadfastness led to the finished work on the cross, and it is our steadfastness that leads to our salvation.

Let’s look at this interaction of Jesus from Luke 23:46, on the cross declaring, “Into your hands, I commit my life.” Jesus committed himself to God. Isn’t this what we are to do? Samuel says, “We are to commit ourselves to the lord and serve home only,” and Peter says, “We are to commit ourselves to God and do good.” The Bible also says, “We are not to commit adultery!”

As I have studied this, I have learned that we have to deal with a language barrier
Before going further. For there are several misconceptions and understandings in scripture that need to be addressed. Do I commit, or do I not commit? This word is used in so many different ways that n scripture.

Barriers of understanding

As a little kid, I heard a phrase that was engrained in me. Ha-gi-ma loosely translated for those who are not laughing right now as “don’t do that!” Why this was constantly touted as the Korean grandmothers walked by me, I do not know.
This displays the first barrier; The Bible was written in a completely different language. Even though I did not speak Korean, I did get the correction. The second barrier can be more subtle and also more dangerous. This is when you know just enough to possibly get by. This is when you are confident enough to stop asking questions, yet your confidence exceeds your skills.
When both barriers are in place, it is easy for us to miss interpret the Bible and misunderstand this love letter to us. But wait! Isn’t the Bible translated for us? Yes, it is done well, but language is a moving target. So, this is the third and final barrier I will discuss today. And ask for you to indulge me. Language is like a picture that changes as perspective changes. We need to be ever diligent to seek the word and its character in context.
For many years in my faith, I thought the story of the Bible was (Hon-gi-ma) or don’t do that! I hoped through my commitment to the Lord, and could refrain from that which does not please Him. Not through the fault of the Word nor inspiration of the Holy Spirit but through the misinterpreting of that which I heard and read. Instead of working through my berries of understanding, I settled for knowing good enough for what is being said, and I missed out on the “Perfect Law of Liberty.”

This brings us back to Jesus and what he said. Let’s look at Luke 23:46, where we see Jesus fulfilling His promise for the joy set before him. “Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this, he breathed his last.”

I do not believe Jesus was making promises or declarations of resolve. Still, I propose Jesus was proclaiming loudly on a pedestal constructed by man for all who look upon and hear,” There is no one more worthy to trust at this time of torment and false accusation than God His Father. ”
In the same manner, if one trusts a bank with their fortune, we are invited to trust the Lord with ours as our greatest display of worship. These words from our savior are borrowed from David’s psalm during his torment, false accusation, and fleeing.

How many times have we met hardships? Here, we tend to commit horrific acts to prop us up and give us safety and control. Yet our Lord said, “Into your hands, I commit my spirit!”

What does this mean?
What do you commit to?
What does it mean in the Bible? Is it at all different?

According to Webster: com·mit·ted (adjective) is feeling dedication and loyalty to a cause, activity, or job; wholeheartedly dedicated: “a committed reformer.”
Is this what Jesus was doing? Committing Himself to a cause or being dedicated? Is this what I am to replicate in my life?

com·mit (verb) carry out or perpetrate (a mistake, crime, or immoral act): pledge or bind (a person or an organization)

If my salvation is based on my understanding of these definitions of commitment, I would constantly be failing because my dedication wains, leaving me fearing my condition and my position in the body of Christ.
It said,” Jesus rose from the dead, yet you can’t even get out of bed!” How is that supposed to make me feel?

I want to unpack the biblical truth of:
1. salvation,
2. commitment
3. sanctification
As this is unpacked, we will face this language barrier head-on. It will be my privilege to unravel this and hopefully open up a little more about the liberties of the Gospel.

First, let’s unpack salvation
Salvation is the pinnacle of the Christian faith and the Gospel. And nowhere in the Bible is it spelled out, and these six verses in Romans are dubbed the Romans Road. In them, you will have five questions that will be answered.
1. Who needs salvation? (3:19)
2. Why do we need it? (6:23)
3. How it is provided? (5:8)
4. How do we receive it? (10:9-10)
5. What are the results? (5:1, 8:1)

These verses are in your notes, so go back and familiarize yourself this week.
These are must-have understandings if you wish to lead others to Christ with understanding.
In this, did you hear anything about commitment? So why, then, do we put so much emphasis on it? Is my salvation based on my commitment or the Lord’s commitment to me?

Romans 8:38-39 Says this, “Nothing no can separate us from God’s love that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. “(NLT)

Let’s look at this keyword and break it down in the Bible.
Commit. pāqad (pa kad)
To do, to act, to relinquish control, to give yourself unto.

Commit/Commitment

Found over sixty times in scripture. Out of those times, it is almost always used as someone doing an un condoned act. This we see in the commandments where we do not commit or other than shalt nots. We are encouraged to commit to God and be steadfast. We also see it in Psalms used as Jesus did on the cross.

Let’s look at Psalm 31:1-5 which is the verses for today.
This is a psalm written by King David in a time of torment while fleeing one of his sons trying to overtake his throne. David was a warrior and knew how to take care of himself. However, David knew how to navigate the caves, which we see as he ran from Saul earlier in his life. But now, through a growing relationship and trust, he desperately chooses to reach up and cry out to God.
How did David commit? He relinquished control and gave himself over. This does not fit our definition of commitment in today’s culture, but it would have been several years ago.
Let’s look at the words Jesus uttered again with his last breath.
“Unto You, I commit my spirit!” He hangs on the cross and declares for all to hear and later to be canonized that God can be trusted, as His body lay on the cross and after the tomb, but his spirit was active and warring on our behalf. God is able to care for Jesus’ needs. As one would place themselves into the care of a doctor, psychiatrist, or surgeon, Jesus lays before His Father. He was surrendering his ability and control.

Conclusion

In short, this is the road we all must travel. Laying our life down to be cared for by another. The road from death to life. The road to surrender of control only to be cared for better by the God of love. The road of salvation takes you to a view of the cross and a place of contemplation to look upon your savior and decide, “Do I believe Him and accept what I am seeing is enough? Can I commit my life to Him? Though salvation is given here, never to be taken away from you, this isn’t the end. For the plan of the Lord isn’t to provide us with the image of the cross just to see the means of our salvation but for us to behold the means of our sanctification. It is the rendering of a committed life. The sanctification process begins through surrender and giving yourself unto God. Where we can look upon the cross of salvation, the cross of sanctification has to be carried for the remainder of the journey.