The value of personal commitment in God's work

We all have a part in God's work, without exception. Being ministers of Christ means that we have understood that Christ longs to express his life in us through a servant's heart. The basin and the towel should be among the utensils that we carry to honor the Lord in love for others. Learn, with love, to wash the feet of your brother and even of those who are not. We serve God, believers and unbelievers by the Lord's imperative. It is not an option. We have all been called to ministry, to a vocation to serve, but with commitment. In a world in spiritual and moral ruin, this seems like a crazy affair. Nobody commits today if there are no benefits involved. Selfishness and individualism do not allow us to see three steps ahead, they are inhuman and rapacious.

In Nehemiah chapter 9, the Lord speaks of personal commitment to God's work. The temple and walls had been restored, but the hearts of the people still flirted with sin. Ezra and Nehemiah, committed servants of the Most High, led their countrymen to the conviction of depending on God, confessing and repenting of their rebellions and their forgetfulness of the great mercy and goodness of God through generations and now, in a new stage of spiritual renewal, humiliated and in adoration, they signed a covenant of commitment to obey the Law of God and turn to him (Neh 10). The commitment would be sealed in writing. Each one left his name written so that today we would know the value of committing before God to do his will. God guided the hearts of his people through his word.

The Bible informs, forms (molds) and transforms. There was a sincere desire to be transformed and to follow the word of the Law in obedience.

The time has changed. We live under a new covenant, that of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus. It is by his grace. Paul said: "because through him the law of the Spirit of life has freed me from the law of sin and death." (Ro 8.2). What a bless! The merits of Christ on the cross and his resurrection have freed me from eternal death. Hallelujah! How can we not love him, how not to commit ourselves from our hearts to being his servants and ministers for life? How are our personal commitments to the Lord?

This world in ruins will pass away, human pacts and commitments are undone and they die with the same vehemence that they are made, but his Word remains forever. In the longest Psalm in the Bible, the psalmist declares: You are my inheritance, Lord! I promise to obey your words! (Ps 119.57). That is the key to our commitment to Christ. Our obedience.

My prayer is that God help us, dear brothers and sisters, to make this same declaration and keep it. Our lives are filled with joy knowing what an incorruptible inheritance we have.

God bless you!

Suggested Reading: Nehemiah 10