“Turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23 NLT
HERE ARE three Bible examples of radical commitment: (1) Commitment on the job. In the past, employers appreciated their workers, and workers valued their employers and their jobs. Today’s workplace is often adversarial, with employees criticizing their bosses and doing the minimum required to get by, while many bosses have become increasingly demanding, taking their workers for granted. This isn’t God’s way. His way calls for mutual commitment between management and labor. Paul says: “Obey your earthly masters…always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by…work heartily…keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God” (Ephesians 6:5-8 MSG). (2) Commitment at church. Many Christians have adopted a cafeteria-style approach toward church. We pick what we like and leave what we don’t. But membership in Christ’s church involves a covenant relationship with a body of believers who watch over, cherish, and pray for one other, and fulfill the great commission together (See 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). (3) Commitment to Christ. Christ is not looking for wishy-washy, “lukewarm” followers (See Revelation 3:16). He told the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.’” That means you no longer follow your own wishes and will, you follow Christ and His will. That’s radical commitment, and you are called to it.
Soul Food Reading: Ezek 46-48, Matt 24:36-51, Ps 78:40-55, Pro 20:22-24
