Commitment is the Key

 

It is both sad and humorous realizing how uncomfortable people get when you mention the word "commitment;" but commitment is required in successful careers, life endeavors, spirituality/faith and even marriage. If you ask a couple who has been married 50+ years, "What is the key to a long marriage?" They will likely reply with the word "commitment."

The Bible speaks of commitment in many passages. Consider the instructions to "...have no other gods before ME," to "be doers of the Word and not hearers only," to "not go after other gods," to "diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God," and for "husbands to love their wife as God loves HIS Church."

Let me offer 4 Conditions that Weaken Commitments:

1. Determining morality by the majority -- 

The majority of Israelites wanted to return to Egypt; the majority of people felt comfortable living in the sinful society of Sodom & Gomorrah; the majority chose not to go into the ark & died; the majority voted to crucify Jesus. Majorities are wrong the majority of the time; because they operate based on popular "opinion" and usually follow the path of least resistance. Commitments based on comforts are weak.

2. Changing your theology, rather than your lifestyle -- 

Rather than aligning their lifestyle with the teachings of Scripture, people will often choose to change churches, denominations or counselors; in search of someone who will accept & condone their sinful behavior. Remember, those who truly love you will speak truth into your life; not merely tickle your ears. Having a weak theology results in weak commitments.

3. Assuming a delay in consequences equals God's approval -- Eccl. 8:11 TLB

Quote from John Fisher -- "...if a dog having a great stone bound about his neck is cast down from a high tower, he feels no weight of that stone, as long as he is falling down; but when he is once fallen to the ground, he is burst all to pieces by that weight." Sin is fun for a season; but "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap." - Gal 6:6-7. Assuming that God would EVER condone sinful behavior certainly reveals a weak commitment toward spiritual maturity.

4. Becoming tolerant of sin --

The way that Christians succumb to sin, is similar to the proverbial frog that gets boiled in the kettle. Sin takes over gradually and we often don't even realize it, until it is too late. It only takes a little leaven to ruin the whole loaf of bread (Gal. 5:9). Being tolerant of sin in our lives is a symptom of a weak level of commitment.

Now, let me offer 4 Principles that Strengthen Commitments (Especially as it relates to marriage):

1. Understand that conflicts are part of marriage --

1 Cor. 7:28b NIV - "...but those who marry will face many troubles in this life..." Too often, couples try to avoid conflict, rather than learning how to resolve conflicts. Learning to listen to and respect differing opinions is one of the greatest ways to gain knowledge and one of the lost arts in today's "cancel culture" movement.

2. Working through is better than walking out -- 

1 Cor. 7:27 NIV - "Are you married? Do not seek a divorce." Walking out is easy, but the baggage follows you out the door and into the next relationship. Working things through takes much more work, but it is much more beneficial and satisfying in the long run.

3. Rights are relinquished at the marriage altar --

1 Cor. 7:4 and Phil 2:3-4 reveal that couples give-up their rights, when they enter the covenant relationship of marriage. Selfishness is most often the root cause of broken relationships and selflessness is most often the key to marriages surviving for the long-haul.

4. Choose holiness over happiness -- 

Nowhere in the Bible does God command us to be happy, but HE does instruct us to be holy. In general, those who pursue holiness will usually find happiness is a natural benefit of living in obedience to God's commands.

After reading these principles based on Scripture and realizing that there are many, many, many more where those came from; let's "commit" to being fully-devoted followers of Jesus and fully-devoted partners in our marriage. Let's love our spouse, the way that Christ loves HIS Church.