THE COMMITMENT FACTOR

In my years as a believer in Christ, I have repeatedly tried to boil down what the bottom line to my Christian walk is.  

I have read volumes and volumes about the Christian life and more volumes on theology.  Included in my readings I have read biographies, autobiographies, articles and blogs on Christianity.  I have listened to messages and testimonies and seminars and sketches relating to the Christian life.  I have had conversations with preachers, teachers, believers and even unbelievers on this same subject and it seems that many miss the mark of what the Christian life should boil down to.

What does the Christian life boil down to?  What is the bottom line in Christianity?  What is of the utmost importance in the Christian life?

EVANGELISM?

Some believe that we are saved to get ready for heaven.  Their whole gist boils down to a "God is waiting" "The Lord is knocking on your heart's door" theology.  Everything in the church is geared toward bringing others to Christ.  

Typically the result is a shallow theology that uses a shallow evangelistic appeal and finalizes itself in a "live and let live" philosophy.  It results in being wary to preach against false teachers and false belief systems.  It results in not wanting to speak of eternal damnation.  It results in using a "Jesus loves you and wants to be your friend" method of evangelism.  

Is this what the Christian life should boil down to?

REWARDS?

Others believe that the whole Christian life is about rewards.  They wrongly take Matthew 6:19-20 and other passages to mean that we must live the Christian life and work for building some sort of reward treasure chest so that we get more "atta boys" at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

These believers feverishly work towards bringing others to Christ so that they can add more rewards to their treasure chest.  They unceasingly read the Sermon on the Mount and the Gospels thinking that if they put themselves in the way of persecution they will gain more rewards.  Preachers preach and teach and even write that somehow this is the necessary motivation for the Christian to live the Christian life in a way that is pleasing to God.

Is this the bottom line for the Christian?

ASSURANCE?

Still others say that you can be 100% assured of being saved no matter what you do or how you live.  These are the ones who believe in decisional regeneration.  Those who promote this, believe that you can be assured of your salvation by a simple formula of "belief" without having to show any fruit of salvation in your life.  You may doubt your salvation at times but as long as you "believed" you are assured of your salvation.

They point to verses such as John 5:24 and 1 John 5:13 to say that if you somehow "believe" in Christ with no strings attached you will be assured of your salvation.  (Most of these people do not believe in repentance as a necessary response to salvation.  and... They also believe that no transformation needs to take place to be a believer.  and... Some even believe you can deny Christ and be a believer.)  Sadly, most of those who say this have misconstrued the context of the above mentioned Scriptures.  

Is this the ultimate purpose of Christianity?

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

Each of the factors mentioned (along with many others stated in Scripture) are important but they must be brought into balance with all of God's Word and within the context they were written in.  

We must evangelize - We are commanded in the Great Commission to do so!  Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49: John 17:18; Acts 1:8.  We are also commanded to grow in Christ and to teach others and to use our spiritual gifts and to be the pillar and support of the truth as the church, along with many other things.  Evangelism is simply one tenet (of many) that is required of us.

We will receive rewards - Scripture is clear that there will be rewards and crowns given in return for our deeds done in this life.  We must also realize that we will give account for all of our deeds at the Judgment Seat of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us.  Rewards are simply a result of how we have lived and not a reason or a basis for our Christian lives.  I desire greatly for God to tell me when I get to glory:  "Well done, thou good and faithful servant".  That would be enough reward for me!!!

We can be assured of our salvation - The assurance of salvation we can have is not through creeds or decisions or walking an aisle but in doing what God requires of us as believers in Jesus Christ.  We must come to understand that there are more verses that speak on assurance than John 5:24 and 1 John 5:13.  It is more than "believing" that gives us assurance.  Assurance comes when we are doing what God desires of us as believers in Christ.  Romans 8:14-17 speaks to this fact:  

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with  Him so that we may also be glorified with  Him."  

• Assurance comes to TRUE believers not MAKE believers. 
• Assurance comes as the Holy Spirit works in and through the believer.
• Assurance comes to those who are being ...led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
• Assurance comes when The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God...

Many have a false assurance of their salvation because people who "led" them to the Lord say: "All you have to do is believe..."  These "leaders" are not taking into account the whole of what Scripture says on this important issue.

• James 2:17  says:  Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.  
• James 2:19  says ...the demons also believe, and shudder.  
• Matthew 7:21  is clear to the fact of false assurance when it says:  Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

THE COMMITMENT FACTOR!

Sooooo....   What does the Christian life boil down to?  What is the bottom line in Christianity?  What is of the utmost importance in the Christian life? 

Commitment is the single answer.  

In salvation we are justified by faith. (Romans 5:1)  Salvation is a gift given by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  Salvation is not based on anything we have done. (Titus 3:5-7)  Once we are saved we are expected to live as one who is saved.  This is where commitment comes in.  We are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) therefore we must commit to His rule and reign in our lives.  Christ now is the boss and anything less than our commitment to Him is unacceptable!!!

How do we commit to Christ?    By living for Him and doing all things for His glory. (Philippians 1:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31)  Sounds simplistic, doesn't it???  If we live committed lives, devoted to Jesus Christ, the rest will come.  We will want to evangelize!  We will not have to worry about rewards!  We will be assured of our salvation!  We will have the Holy Spirit working in us and through us!  Our lives will be consumed with Christ!

What is the bottom line in the Christian life?  COMMITMENT TO  CHRIST!


Tim Bergen