那不勒斯足球俱乐部

There are numerous references in the Bible addressing the Christian鈥檚 commitment in various aspects of life: to our families, neighbors, employers, the church, our health, and in all things we do and say (Ephesians 6:5; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 31). But the Bible also teaches that the chief commitment of our lives is to God Himself. Jesus said, 鈥淵ou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment鈥� (Matthew 22:37-38).

Jesus is telling us that every fiber of our being, every facet of our lives must be committed to loving and serving God. This means that we must hold nothing back from Him because God holds nothing back from us (John 3:16). Furthermore, Jesus tells us that our commitment to Him must supersede our commitment to even our families: 鈥淚f anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple鈥� (Luke 14:26-27). Such commitment means our family relationships may be severed. It means our commitment to Christ demands, if given an 鈥渆ither/or鈥� situation, we turn away from them and continue on with Jesus (Luke 12:51-53). The bottom line is that those who cannot make that kind of commitment cannot be His disciple.

Jesus is warning us in advance. The reason for such commitment and loyalty is that the trials we may have to endure will be quite demanding; our allegiance to Him at times may be arduous (John 15:18). Jesus alerted His disciples: 鈥淩emember the word that I said to you: 鈥楢 servant is not greater than his master.鈥� If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you鈥� (John 15:20). The apostle Paul echoed His warning: 鈥淚ndeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted鈥� (2 Timothy 3:12).

Jesus has made it plain the cost of discipleship: 鈥淚f anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it鈥� (Luke 9:23-24). In essence, the true cost of commitment to Christ is one鈥檚 total self-denial, cross-bearing, and the continual following of Him. These imperatives picture for us sacrifice, selflessness, and service. A cross epitomized ultimate punishment and humiliation (Galatians 3:13). More than that, it fully demonstrated the love of God (Romans 5:8)鈥攕elfless and sacrificial in the giving of His life for the world (Matthew 20:28).

Paul followed the Lord鈥檚 example of commitment in sacrifice and service. Paul said, 鈥淚 have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me鈥� (Galatians 2:20).

Total commitment to God means that Jesus is our sole authority, our guiding light, and our unerring compass. Being committed to Christ means being fruitful; it means being a servant. Our axiom is simple and succinct: 鈥淔or me to live is Christ鈥� (Philippians 1:21).