Fully Committed?

Commitment. The Cambridge English Dictionary defines it as “a promise or a firm decision to do something.” We hear the phrase “commitment to Christ” or “committing his/her life to Jesus” in religious circles. But what does it mean to commit to Christ?

I happened to be reading through Luke Chapter 10 recently and came across the perfect story to illustrate the commitment that Jesus desires.

Commitment to Jesus can be a challenge

Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan? Jesus told a story about a Jewish man going from Jerusalem to Jericho, and the man was jumped on by robbers, beaten within an inch of his life, and left for dead. A priest came by and crossed to the other side of the road, as did a Levite. They both had their reasons. The Samaritan man was the one who saw his predicament, had compassion, and helped the man. Here's the kicker.

Did you know Samaritans and Jews HATED each other? Each considered themselves REAL Jews due to their theology. But how bad was that hatred? Most Jews would not travel through Samaria at all. They’d go a longer route to avoid Samaria and any contact with Samaritans.

Think about it this way: the more time you spent on the open road in those days, the more opportunity you had to get jumped, beaten, robbed, and even killed. Most Jewish folks were willing to risk that rather than take a much shorter journey through Samaria. The feelings were most assuredly mutual. I’d call that hatred.

To further illustrate the divide between the two peoples, Jewish people considered Samaritans “half-breeds.” Assyrians overran the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C. A large number of Jewish people were taken to Assyria as captive slaves, but a lot of Assyrians moved into the conquered land. Calling anyone a “half-breed” is a significant insult, even in the modern age.

Now, think about all that, and picture the Samaritan helping the Jew despite their significant differences. He’s likely risking a lot if other Samaritans happen to come along and see him helping the injured man. That kind of compassion that looks danger in the eye and overcomes hatred can only come straight from God Himself.

That's the kind of commitment the Lord is looking for. Help those who need help. Put aside those differences. Can we put aside our differences in a country and a world that are so polarized? We can’t do it without returning to Him and repenting (forsaking, turning away from) our (many) sins.

Let's agree to up our commitment level

Can you help someone who needs it even if you don’t agree with them on everything?

I don’t always succeed in helping others I disagree with. I’ll be the first to admit it. But this is the kind of commitment that the Lord wants from people who profess to follow Him. Matthew 16: 24-26 says, “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life[ will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’”

Let’s love the unlovable with actions. Even those we don’t like or agree with. Can you put what you want aside? Boy, that’s hard to do. Challenge yourself, and I’ll do the same. Are you up for it?