Commitment

 

John Claypool shares this story in “Leadership” Vol. 12, No.1 – “Winston Churchill had planned his funeral, which took place in St. Paul’s Cathedral. He included many of the great hymns of the Catholic church and used the eloquent Anglican liturgy. At his direction, a bugler, positioned high in the dome of St, Paul’s, intoned, after the benediction, the sound of ‘Taps’ – the universal signal that says the day is over. But then came the most dramatic turn. As Churchill instructed, as soon as ‘Taps’ was finished, another bugler, placed on the other side of the great dome, played the notes of ‘Reveille.’ ‘It’s time to get up; It’s time to get up; It’s time to get up in the morning.’ That was Churchill’s testimony that at the end of history, the last note will not be ‘Taps,’ it will be ‘Reveille’.”

Death surrounds us, we cannot escape it and we can’t escape constantly hearing about it. Turn on any TV news program and the lead story will almost always be about some violent death. Pick up any newspaper and usually somewhere on the front page will be a story that deals with someone’s death. Some are uncomfortable with this constant reminder of our mortality. Death is something we will all face someday. No matter how religious one is; no matter how good one is; someday all will face death and face the maker of all things. How do you view death? How have you prepared for this eventuality? Do you face our mortality with confidence or fear?

[1 Thessalonians 4:13-18] Churchill’s understanding is straight from the scriptures. Paul’s writing is encouraging concerning death. The key to these verses is found in the first verse, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” The word ‘brethren’ directs Paul’s address to ‘Christians” in Thessalonica. “Christian” is a descriptive word that is given to those who are obedient disciples of Jesus Christ. For those who serve God it is not a matter of life or death, it’s a matter of life and continuing life in a new location. Maybe it’s time to consider if you are ready for that day. Eternal life with God or eternal suffering in hell.

Commitment is the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself. It is regarded as a pledge or a promise. When we became Christians, we committed ourselves to take up our cross and follow Christ daily. This commitment is for a lifetime. In Christianity there is no such thing as a temporary commitment or a partial commitment.

When the pilot of a giant airliner is speeding down the runway, there is a certain point where he cannot decide to remain on the ground. When he crosses that line, he has to commit to the air. If he doesn’t, the plane will run out of runway and crash disastrously. That pilot cannot change his mind when the plane is two-thirds of the way down the runway. He must make his decision from the beginning and stay with it to become airborne.

Many members of the church have obeyed the gospel, leaving the old man of sin; but they seem to sit at the beginning of the runway revving their engines – but never moving. They have been saved but have never gotten engaged in their faith. Christianity is not a spectator sport Everyone must compete against an enemy who is out to get their soul (Ephesians 6:10-13; 1 Peter 5:8). This is not a competition where winning or losing does not matter. It is a competition with eternal consequences. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Our faith in Christ is a commitment with no end. Let’s not spend our time gunning our engines on the runway. Let’s take off!