Session 35

Is your top commitment to Jesus?

From Mark: A 6-Week Devotional

What would have happened if Noah had completed 90 percent of the ark? Imagine if he’d left a small hole in the hull or left off the roof, choosing instead to take a weekend off. Noah could not afford partial commitment. His salvation and his family’s chance of surviving catastrophe were dependent upon his complete and total willingness to completely trust God. The same is true for us.

Real commitment is incredibly difficult, yet we are asked to do it every day. We’re asked to commit to spouses, children, jobs, exercise programs, diets, and countless others. Many of these commitments require balance. We have to take time and effort from one to give to another. While this works with certain aspects of life, it does not work with our commitment to follow Jesus.

God does not expect us to be perfect. Much of the Christian life is a process of letting go of old habits and embracing our new life as a Christian. We won't always get it right, but we will keep moving forward if we remain steadfast in our commitment to God.  

In Mark 3:34-35, Jesus says our commitment to Him should supersede every other relationship in our lives: “Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”

Jesus doesn't ask for our perfection; He asks for our commitment. 

We are not capable of living perfect lives. Jesus doesn’t ask for our perfection; He asks for our commitment. As Christians, we are called to press on the best we can after realizing and acknowledging our complete dependence on the sacrifice Jesus made. There can be no partial commitment when it comes to this one decision. We are either in or out.

Reflect:

• On a scale of 1 to 10, where is your commitment to Jesus? Why did you pick the number you did?
• Who or what has the most influence on your day-to-day decisions? Where does Jesus fall in the order of influential voices in your life?
• What step do you need to take this week to make your relationship with Jesus your No. 1 priority?