What Commitment Does (Acts 21:10-14)
All science tell us that smoking is dangerous to our health. Most western countries and many developing nations have laws against smoking in the public because we are told that even second-hand smoking can kill. Some countries force cigarette makers to provide a message on the packets that smoking kills. Yet, there are smokers who would not give up. I’ve heard of smokers who told people to not preach to them as they don’t care about dying. They tell us that man must die of something anyways. I recently watched on television the documentary of a murderer who, when caught, said that he was addicted to drugs and could not survive one day without it, so he had to kill an innocent lady just to steal her camera (so he could sell it) and any available cash to enable him buy drugs. He asked the authorities to sentence him to death because he knew that he deserved death. These people are committed, committed indeed, to the wrong things.
When Peter tried to insist that Jesus would not die, Jesus’ reaction was swift: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23). Jesus knew that those words were planted in the mouth of Peter by Satan, so He rebuked the devil directly. Jesus was committed to His cause. He was here to die and die He did; not even a million Satan(s) could stop Him. Paul’s cause was the same. From the day he encountered Christ on the way to Damascus, he never relented in delivering the assignment that Christ gave him. He was incarcerated several times and delivered to authorities for judgment. Even when he was sure (by prophesy from prophet Agabus) that he was going to be bound or killed in Jerusalem (Acts 21:10-14) and the brethren pleaded with him to not go, Paul said “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” He went through trials, temptations and tough times, but he wouldn't give up. Paul was a great example of commitment to the course of the gospel.
So, what does commitment do to people? Commitment shifts priority away from the personal agenda of the committed. From the day s/he is committed to a cause, s/he never gives up until mission is accomplished. I have never seen any serious assignment without challenges. Only the committed is able to bring missions to a successful close. If you work in an organization that never finishes what they start, I will suggest that you start looking for work because they are likely to go bankrupt in the near future. Those who never take anything seriously will die and their names will not be remembered!
Commitment promotes the committed. Jesus remained humbly committed to His cause even unto the point of death and was given a name that is above every other name. Abraham remained committed to faith in God for a child even when it made no sense and it was inputted to him for righteousness. Daniel remained committed to praying daily even when it was against the King’s ordinance. He knew that he could die and was indeed thrown to the lions’ den but came out triumphant and was promoted in the Kingdom. It was commitment to the fight for freedom that made Nelson Mandela to remain in Prison for 27 years, not minding that he could die in the process. Today, he could look back happily and smile, having accomplished his mission. Only a person who lives in the bush without radio or television may not have already heard of his good name. Are you committed to something? Remain committed until mission is accomplished because success and promotion are waiting at the finish line to welcome you.
God bless you and bless Nigeria!
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