MARKS OF COMMITMENT- Open Heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

MARKS OF COMMITMENT
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

MEMORIZE: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke. 14:33) 

READ: Genesis 39: 17-23

According to John 10:30, Jesus was one with the Father and John1: 1-3 says He took part in creating everything with the Father. So equality with His Father was not in doubt as Phillipians 2: 5-6 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God”. Before He took the form of a man, He relinquished His equality and completely subordinated Himself and His will to the Father. Personal commitments to God can cause you great suffering and death like it did to Jesus.

In Daniel 1:8, the commitment of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to the living God cast them their right to the King’s table. They became vegetarians in the midst of abundance. Similarly, in Daniel 3, because of their commitment, they were hurled into Nebuchadnezzar’s burning fiery furnace. They could have been roasted yet they did not mind. If you say you are committed  to God, and you have not gotten into trouble as a result, something is definitely wrong somewhere. Commitment to God will take something from you. Sometimes, it could even take everything from you. Are you committed to God? Where are the marks of that commitment?

According to today’s reading, Joseph’s commitment to God cost him a lot. He lost his position as the most trusted servant-manager, lost favour before his master, and attracted false allegations from his master’s wife which landed him in prison for a crime he never committed. A preacher once said whenever Paul the apostle arrived in a town or city, he first paid a visit to their prison because he knew sooner or later, he might end up there. Are there marks of commitment to Christ in your life? Have you lost your job or contract because you refused to be defiled? Have you become bereaved or suffered so much for your commitment? The good news is that every mark of your commitment attracts great Heavenly rewards. If you are not prepared to go to prison, be isolated or suffer loss for your commitment to God, you are not ready to serve Him.

ACTION POINT: Count all your losses, sacrifices and sorrows as a result of your faith in Christ and thank God for grace to suffer these afflictions.