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Let's be aware that the days ahead of us depends on how we are today. We as Christians if we are not prepared to be committed to the cause, the people yet to be disciples will not be able to understand their commitment towards God. What motivates us to be a disciple? Can we say we are ready to face persecution like the Christians in the first century? If not when are we going to be ready?
We as Christians are also leaders in leading people to Christ. We need to sit down and count the cost. We need to understand that we need to commit ourselves as much as a father and mother are committed to their sons and daughters.
Let's consider Joshua's commitment to the Israelites. In Joshua 24: 15 Joshua sets himself as an example to others and leads the way in his personal commitment to God and others.
1. Commitment to God.
Mark 11:12-19
12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.
13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.
14 Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves,
16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.
17 And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
19 When evening came, they went out of the city.
The best person to learn from is Jesus Christ himself. Jesus found himself not happy with the temple. He took his stand as a single man to cleanse it. He did this even though he knew he would suffer death. He had a commitment to God that he would keep even if he had to give his life up. We have committed to God to serve him at the time of baptism. We need to keep it at any cost.
2. Commitment to People.
Mark 10:46-52
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.
47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you."
50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."
52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Jesus saw blind Bartimaeus not been treated properly even though he had a genuine need. He stopped his journey to reach out to him. It inspired the people to encourage him in Vs. 49. When we start being committed to people as Christians/leaders we can inspire the others to be atleast encouraging to each other.
Be a leader not a boss!
The boss drives his men
The leader inspires them!
The boss depends on authority
The leader depends on goodwill!
The boss involves fear
The leader radiates love!
The boss says 'I'
The leader says 'We"!
The boss knows who is wrong
The leader know what is wrong!
The boss know how it is done
The leader knows how to do it !
The boss demands respect
The leader commands respect!
So be a leader, Be not a boss!
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