Bringing Your A-Game
Today’s Verse:
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. ~1 Timothy 4:15
Are you an “all in” Christian? Are you completely committed to doing whatever the Lord wants you to do? Are you so obedient to the Lord that saying “yes” means “yes” all the way? Paul told Timothy, “Give thyself wholly to them.” He was referring to his conversion as a Christian, his calling as a preacher, and his commitment to the commands of God. Many of us don’t realize that we were saved to be full-time Christians, and we live the Christian life as a part-time vocation.
There is the priority in commitment.
Commitment means we are pledging 100% of ourselves to an endeavor. When Paul told Timothy, “Give thyself wholly to them,” he meant doing so without excuse, delay, reservation, and distraction. Borden of Yale wrote down three statements that underscored his commitment to the Lord’s calling as a missionary to the Muslim people. These three statements were, “No reserves. No retreats. No regrets.”
There is the practice in commitment.
Commitment demands complete focus. Paul said, “Meditate upon these things.” He was referring to Timothy’s duties as a young preacher. He was referring to Timothy’s example as a young preacher. He was also referring to Timothy’s resolve. We must establish daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals for our commitment. We must pray for God’s vision to help us see clearly how we can best execute our commitment. We must not allow discouragement, detractors, or disappointments to stop us. He told Timothy, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee.” He told Timothy to be a 100% preaching preacher and a 100% pastoring pastor! There is no idleness when it comes to commitment.
There is the prevention in commitment.
Paul told Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine.” Commitment must have safeguards attached to it. Be careful of temptations. Be careful of your tendencies. Be careful of testings that come your way. We must guard the sacred Scriptures. We must guard the spirituality of our soul. We must not let fatigue, friendships, or fear sidetrack us from being totally committed.
There is the profiting in commitment.
Paul said, “That thy profiting may appear to all.” Others stay in the race when they see that we have stayed in the race. Others keep preaching the Word of God when they see us preaching the Word of God. Others serve God when they see us serving God. Others can weather the storms of adversity when they see us weathering the storms of adversity. Others will be “all in” when they see that we are “all in.”
A missionary society wrote to David Livingstone and asked, "Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you." Livingstone wrote back, "If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all."
Commitment involves being “all in.” “Give thyself wholly to them....” When you give all of yourself to an endeavor, goal, or cause, you have all of it and it has all of you!
Have an “all in” God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Leviticus 22-23