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There are degrees of commitment. One person may be committed to
a project as long as it does not take too much time or energy; while
another person may be committed to the same project at the expense
of worldly fame and possessions.
The fact is, we cannot make the greatest commitment to everything.
It is impossible to make each aspect of life our number one priority.
Therefore, we must predetermine the degree of commitment we have
toward any one thing.
Paradidomi is translated "committed" in 1 Peter 2:23 (KJV,
NKJV). It literally means "I give." A personal commitment is to
give yourself to the person or thing under consideration.
Jesus is our example of commitment. The Bible reveals His commitment
(paradidomi) to God and to mankind (1 Pet. 2:23). Jesus' commitment
on earth was to give His life (Jn. 19:30; Eph. 5:2, 25) for the
sins of man because it was the will of His Father and because He
loved us.
Paul says: "Therefore be followers of God as dear children. And
walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for
us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma"
(Eph. 5:2). Christ's commitment was to die for us.
Christ's commitment was to death. And we should have the same commitment
toward God because of love - committed even to death.
Christians must die to sin (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:5-8). But, we must
also be ready to physically die for the sake of Christ - because
of love.
Jesus says: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown
of life" (Rev. 2:10). "If anyone desires to come after Me, let Him
deny Himself, and take up His cross, and follow Me. For whoever
desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life
for My sake will find it. For what is a man profited if he gains
the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give
in exchange for his soul" (Matt. 16:24-26)?
When Jesus came to earth, His commitment was to die for our sins.
He requires the same commitment of each person who desires to follow
after Him - death to sin. And, if times of great persecution come
upon us, this commitment may require physical death.
Are you a Christian? What is your commitment to God? Does your
manner of life reflect having died to sin? Are you committed to
die for Christ?
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