"When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God."
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
I've been meditating on commitment for many days now. We seem to live in a culture that has abandoned the concept. When I was young, quitting was a shame — not any more. Husbands and wives quit. Parents quit. Children quit. Christians quit.
I've said before that I've been in church almost my whole life. I started out in the church nursery and I've been everything from a deacon's kid to a bus kid to the preacher's wife. Through the years, I have seen literally thousands kneel at an altar and make a commitment to the Lord. Sadly, without a scientific study, I would say that near 90% of those commitments are abandoned. The person who keeps a vow is the rare exception.
But why?
That question is the base of my meditation and I don't know that I have any answers yet.
What do you think? Why do folks not keep the commitments that they make to the Lord.
I know the basic answers like "the cares of this world," "decisions made in haste," "peer presure." But are those the root reasons?
Tell me what you think.
I've said before that I've been in church almost my whole life. I started out in the church nursery and I've been everything from a deacon's kid to a bus kid to the preacher's wife. Through the years, I have seen literally thousands kneel at an altar and make a commitment to the Lord. Sadly, without a scientific study, I would say that near 90% of those commitments are abandoned. The person who keeps a vow is the rare exception.
But why?
That question is the base of my meditation and I don't know that I have any answers yet.
What do you think? Why do folks not keep the commitments that they make to the Lord.
I know the basic answers like "the cares of this world," "decisions made in haste," "peer presure." But are those the root reasons?
Tell me what you think.
8 comments:
Hi teri...I have something for you at my blog, Songs from My Journey
I don't have any answers for you. I can tell you though, that your post really meant a lot to me today. I really believe the Lord led me to it because it is just what I needed to hear today. I have been saved for 1 year but the rest of my family and friends are not saved. I am so prone to wander. Hearing you talk about commitment has really stengthened my commitment. thank you.
You know, hip chick, occasionally I get that "no one is reading my blog" feeling but the knowledge that one person was encouraged makes it all worth it. Thanks for leaving a comment.
Terri, I just found your blog today and it looks as though I will be a regular reader!
I was not raised in a Christian home. Making a commitment to ANYTHING and keeping it was not the rule in our house. I think that perhaps people feel that once they become a c
Christian life is supposed to be easy. Some (much) of the teaching today is false and people buy into it. When they see that they are not suddenly blessed with an easy life, they lose their commitment.
My life belongs to Christ, come what may. I believe that we need more solid biblical teaching, not the fluff that passes as the truth. That's only my opinion though!
Hi, Anonymous!! I am humbled to have you as a reader. I haven't been updating much lately because I am finishing up my last semester of school, but stay tuned!!
Hi Terri, I just read your post, and was amazed at the scriptures from Eccl. The Lord rebuked me using those same verses when I was 7 years in Him (23 yrs ago). I'd complained of being unblessed and unloved, that I didn't want the gifts He'd given me anymore for various reasons. Not having ever read Eccl, He told me to turn to it. (That sounds odd to a lot of people - but He did.) When He told me to be careful of what I utter....He's in heaven I'm on earth..... well, I repented! He showed me what utter despair was the next moment. He had me turn to Matt 25:10 "and the door was shut." Not entering the Kingdom of God is true despair. That was that.
I think we don't keep commitments to Jesus because we are lack belief, and are self-centered and we lack the fear of the Lord. If we could spend just one minute in HIS presence -really seeing Him, we'd never do to Him the things we do. I think we'd be like Isaiah, "woe is me, I am undone."
Hi Terri, Was passing by your blog and it was thought provoking. i was saved at a early age and in a strict Christian home. But I am like you: How many are commited to really follow the Lord. I have notice over the past 4-5 years of people going to the altar and confessing they were not really saved. I thank God that they were faithful to the Lord by getting things right. But there are so many things that can rob us of our commitment. Personally, I think that being ground in the Word of God and having their private devotions is one way to help us keep our commitment. Our pastor has a class for new Christians and disciples them. I know that a lot of churches don't do this, or don't have the opportunity. I really enjoy your writings on commitment. Keep writing and we might figure some things out.
Hello, I found your blog and am already convicted. I have a problem with commitment, myself. I think my problem is I don't know how. I have just recently realized this and am turning to God more and more each day. Hopefully, I will stay committed to Him, my heavenly Father, this time.
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