“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”-John 6: 67-69
Last Sunday at church we had “Commitment Sunday.” As the name would imply the leadership encourage all who would to take the pulpit or speak from the pews about their commitment to God and to his church. It truly was a moving service. There is an intangible power you feel when you stand up in the Spirit and make a public declaration, to all who will hear, and to Satan himself, that no matter how high the mountain or how deep the valley; you’re going with God wherever God wills you to go. What I been thinking on this week is the power of a commitment declaration, and I want to get a little personal, and give my commitment declaration.
In the spring of 2006 I was a senior in high school, ready to graduate and go to college. A combination of: lack of studying the Word, increase desire to be “cool”, and a life of worldliness (many may scoff at the term, but I will submit to you that nothing will put out a flaming Christian fire like the water of worldliness); a combination of these three things had left me in a spiritual desert. I had been there for so long I found myself lost and confused; hungry and thirsty, without a blessing to hang my hat on. I went to feastmeetings (like a revival meeting) nothing, no blessings, no passion for preaching, no interest in the alter call, nothing. I went to Campmeeting (a week long revival, see cshc.org for schedule of events, all are welcome! Please come if you can.) Still nothing, at Campmeeting! Nothing! Are you kidding me? No blessings at Campmeeting! I wrestled with God, and wrestled, and wrestled some more….until this one night; I finally got my victory verse, and I believe to this day that it came because I committed my heart to the true things of God.
One night, I had had enough and I got real with God, got on my knees and told God: “I don’t care if I never get another blessing again, I’m gonna serve you the rest of my life.” And buddy I meant it, with all that I was, I meant it. After that moment the windows of heaven opened and a blessing poured out upon my dry soul, and saturated my heart. The verse came to me: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 8: 38-39
You see, it was the commitment that broke the flood gates. Not the commitment to feastmeetings, to Campmeetings, to “getting blessed.” Not to shouting, or singing, or stomping, or fellowshipping; but it was the commitment to GOD and to his Son that opened up the windows of heaven. I learned the hard way that the only thing that will sustain and advance a sanctified soul; is the Holy Spirit. The only thing that will “fire up” the saints, the kind of fire that will melt a sinner’s heart; is true fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
There is value in a commitment declaration. So, if you have commitment declaration (or story, mine was really more of a story); I would like to hear it. It encourages me, renounces Satan and exalts God. If you feel led please post your declaration below in the comments box, or better still, post it on Facebook J (hey they put everything else on there). A public commitment to Christ is a testimony for Christ.
“When the day is done, and the race is run, may there be no doubt to where I call home.” –Anonymous
