Christian Living

Genuine Christian Commitment

by Shiju Vincent
12/30/16
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“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9a NLT)

A heart fully committed to God is what pleases our Lord. When you have surrendered your heart completely to God, you cannot think, imagine, speak or do what God does not like. Your life will be a representation of God’s heart. You cannot take revenge, you cannot curse anyone, you cannot cheat anyone. This is the lifestyle of God’s people. But a heart fully committed to God also needs the strength that comes from regular communion with God. Abiding in Christ is the root necessity of growing as a Christian.

Now let us consider what complete commitment to God really means. The gracious Lord told his disciples in Matthew 16:24: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (ESV) [Also in Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23]. To follow Jesus, denying our possessions is not enough, we have to deny our very selves. Self-denial is the backbone of becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. If so, we cannot run after name and fame. We cannot be proud of ourselves. We will say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”

Next, we have to take and carry our cross daily. Cross signifies suffering. If we cannot suffer for Christ, we cannot reign with Christ. Christ is not a hard-hearted God when He asks His followers to bear pain and shame for Him. The attitude and nature of Christ is developed in us when we go through a little of His experience on earth. This is the reason for suffering as a Christian.

Now we have clearly understood what true discipleship really means. The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. A heart fully committed to God, can by no means be a weak unhealthy heart. The Lord strengthens it totally. Now let us examine ourselves. Are we strong inside? Are we strong enough to uplift the name of Christ in midst of blames and insults? May the Lord grant us His grace to live a true Christian life.