Are You Committed?

Looking for a snapshot of genuine faith?  We need look no other place but to Christ.  1 Peter 2:19-24 provides a clear view of this high calling:  "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ²² "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth"; ²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed."

We are not saved by our good works, but saved for them.  Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  It is our reasonable service to be living sacrifices unto God, wholly submitted to His will and purposes.  Doing good is one aspect of the Christian life that ought to be a natural outflow of the Holy Spirit within us, not a source of pride.  Our flesh is sometimes willing and able to go this far.  There are many people in the world who do "good" things who have no knowledge of God.  Faith enters the picture when we do good and suffer for it patiently with a heart focused on Christ.  Jesus went about only doing good, perfectly performing the will of the Father.  Yet He suffered much during His life on earth, culminating with His crucifixion on Calvary.  Even then He did not become bitter, angry, or threaten, "...but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously."  Three days after His death on the cross, He rose from the grave proving His power over it.  It is in the power of the resurrection that Christians live today.

The life of a Christian is one of commitment.  It is far more than an ideal or a mental assent to doctrine:  it is a life of faith in the living God.  It is an undying loyalty and belief that no matter what trials or difficulties we may face for doing good and standing for righteousness, we are God's and He is ours.  It is a denial of self and a belief in God according to knowledge revealed through the scriptures.  It is not just ignoring the hurtful comments, violent assaults, slander, mockery, and scorn directed at us, but in willingly committing ourselves to God's hands, knowing that Jesus suffered for us.  Jesus committed Himself to God the Father, knowing He is a righteous judge.  The Father would never allow Jesus to see corruption in the grave because He had committed no sin.  Jesus never even told a lie.  He was always casting His cares upon the Father, because His Father loved Him.

A day will come when all the wrongs in this world will be made right.  A day will come when all the lies of Satan will be swept away.  A day will come when Jesus Christ sits on His throne, having destroyed the power of the devil.  A day of reckoning will come where all people will be judged according to God's righteousness.  Knowing this, we ought to take Christ's example to heart.  Am I embracing my calling?  It is not a question of "Am I doing good?" but when I do good and suffer do I take it patiently with rejoicing?  May the righteous acts recorded in Acts 5:41-42 mark our lives as well:  "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ."

Have you committed yourself to Him who judges righteously?  Rejoice when you do good and suffer, for this is your calling.  Peace and joy is not found in the absence of conflict, but through a right standing with Jesus Christ.  He says to us in John 15:9-12, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. ¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."