Ready to embark on a soul-stirring adventure that promises to inspire you to make the transformational changes needed to walk closer with the Lord?
Having a committed relationship with God is one of the most fulfilling experiences we can have in life. There is nothing that can compare to it. The Lord is forever there for us. He desires an ongoing relationship with us.
I promise to unravel the essential steps for establishing and sustaining a spiritual commitment. So, shall we plunge into this journey available to you? Come, let's dive in!
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Seek God with Your Whole Heart
Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV) — 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
The first step in genuinely committing to God is to seek Him with your whole heart. Half-hearted commitments are just empty words. They lack the true intent and dedication needed for a meaningful relationship with God. We need to put some skin in the game and stop being spectators.
I don't say this to scare you or hinder you from making the commitment needed. I want to inspire you to do so, but realize that we must be intentional, and it's more than just a passing thought.
In my daily walk, I see the Lord as the most important person in my life. I can't imagine my life without Him. I talk to Him on a constant basis. Because of this relationship with Him, I must put my whole heart into it by seeking Him.
In the process of seeking, it's essential to reflect on our past failures, and trust me, I have had plenty. I have committed to God a thousand times over, only to fail. I have learned if I am honest with myself, then I am in a better position to make the corrections needed.
The beautiful thing about our Father God is that He is a God of second chances. He is forever with open arms, wanting a closer relationship with us.
Pray to God for Guidance on How to Make a Commitment
James 1:5 (NLT) — 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
Once we have made a wholehearted commitment, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit is essential. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, is there to lead, comfort, and guide us into all truth. Through prayer, we can tap into the wisdom and direction only God can provide. When we commit our lives to Christ, the Holy Spirit becomes our guide, showing us the steps we need to take to fulfill our commitment.
Sadly, many discount the power of having the Holy Spirit inside us. Some don't even realize that the Holy Spirit is not an "IT." He is actually a person of the Godhead. He is inside of us for a reason. He helps us be victorious in our walk with the Lord.
I can't even begin to tell you how many times I consult Him on a daily basis. If you give Him a chance, He will show you how to make significant steps in your commitment to God.
God Gives Us Power and the Desires
Philippians 2:13 (NLT) — 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
I talk about this scripture all the time. It is my favorite one, and I believe it is one of the most powerful ones in the Bible.
We put so much pressure on ourselves to perform on our own, and often, we don't even see God's help as an option. We think He is up there on His throne, just observing what is happening, ready to throw lightning bolts if we mess up. That 100% is not the case.
God wants to help us at any moment, but we must let Him do it. Now, it may not be the help that you think it should be. I can promise you this, if you learn what His help is and how to walk in it, you will be blessed.
Philippians 2:13 clearly says, God will give you the desire and power to do what pleases Him. Let me ask you this, do you think being committed to God pleases Him? Of course it does! Pray today for Him to give you the desire and power to be committed to Him. He will do it!
Ensure Your Beliefs Are Based on God's Word
Romans 12:2 (NLT) — 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
We must renew our minds and be grounded in God's Word. You may be shocked when I say this, but your opinion doesn't matter. Only God's Word matters. Our thoughts and opinions must line up with it.
We are living in a time where so many have an opinion, and Christians are living off of bullet points and Google searches. What does God's Word say? That is my question.
Opinions can be subjective and unreliable, whereas God's Word is the ultimate truth. We must align our commitment with what the Bible says about commitment, promises, and the power of our words.
When we renew our minds, it will change the way we think. We will learn to know God's will for our lives; it is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Examine Your Current Commitment
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) — 5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.
Years ago, our daughter got into an accident by rear-ending an ambulance at an intersection. I don't remember all the details, but what I do remember is my daughter giving us excuses as to why she rear-ended an ambulance, of all things. What it came down to was that she wasn't paying attention.
Self-reflection, along with the Holy Spirit, is an integral part of making a genuine commitment to God. We need to assess where we stand in our relationship with Him honestly. If there is true sincerity, the Holy Spirit will reveal things to you. Don't make excuses; just step up and make adjustments. Always remember this: the Lord wants the best for you, and His ways are better than yours.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself:
Am I prioritizing my relationship with God daily?
Do I spend enough time in prayer and reading His word?
Do I see myself growing spiritually?
How do I respond when confronted with sin in my life?
Am I willing to sacrifice my desires in order to obey God?
How often do I share about God's grace and mercy to others?
Do I strive to serve others in the same way Jesus did?
Is my love for God visible in the way I live my life?
Do I seek and trust in God during difficulties and trials?
Am I faithful to God in both small and large matters?
Is my first instinct to lean on God when making decisions?
Am I using my talents, gifts, and resources for His glory?
Am I consistently attending the House of God?
Am I regularly fellowshiping with other believers to foster spiritual growth?
Am I truly willing to follow where He leads, even if it's uncomfortable or challenging?
Am I quick to repent and ask for forgiveness when I sin?
Do I consistently express gratitude for His blessings in my life?
Do I actively seek to deepen my understanding of God’s character and His will?
I believe by using these questions and coming up with others will help you get on the right track and stay there. The key is to stay there more consistently. I can tell you this, in my early days as a believer, I was more off the tracks than on. Today, I find myself more stable and consistent. The key is to be honest and assess ourselves continually. There is no other way to live life than through the Word of God. It brings greater peace, hope, and joy.
Talk with God About How He Wants You to Live
Engaging in regular conversations with God is crucial in our commitment to Him. We should talk to Him about how He wants us to live our lives in every aspect. This includes bringing our weaknesses, struggles, and desires before Him. It's important to address areas where we need improvement, seek His guidance, and surrender to His plans for our lives. By inviting God into every area of our lives, we can experience His transformative power and live a life that pleases Him.
Make a List of Concrete Steps
I don't know about you, but I am not a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of guy. I love lists, planning, systems, and structure. The other day, we just celebrated Thanksgiving. My wife and daughter did a fantastic job cooking and baking. I was assigned the dishes. But, I think they did too good of a job. I ate and ate and ate! After three days of giving thanks, I had to have a heart-to-heart talk with myself. I felt I got way off course. I had to sit down and make a list of how I would get back on track. Here is my list:
Back on eating right
Back on following my intermediate fasting
Back on glucose management
Back to riding a bike
Back to reading daily
Back to studying the Bible
Back to weightlifting
Do you want to know something funny? I was doing all these things the day before Thanksgiving. It only took me three days of stuffing myself, not doing these things to miss them, and wanting to put a concrete plan to get back on track. That's funny!
To live a committed life, it's beneficial to create a list of concrete steps toward achieving our commitment to God. This could involve setting goals for prayer, Bible study, serving in the Kingdom of God, attending church, and overcoming specific sins or weaknesses. However, it's crucial to be realistic and not set ourselves up for failure. Our commitment should be attainable and sustainable, enabling us to make progress and continually grow in our relationship with God.
To Sum it All Up
Proverbs 16:3 (NLT) — 3 Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
Making a genuine commitment to God is a lifelong journey. It is not an overnight process. It requires seeking Him wholeheartedly, praying for guidance, aligning our beliefs with His Word, examining our current commitment, talking to Him about how He wants us to live, and making a plan of concrete steps.
As we take these steps, we will experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from a committed and intimate relationship with Him. Remember, progress is more important than perfection, and God is always willing to help us along the way.
Some time ago, the Lord said something to me while pondering my future. I was so excited about what He was doing in my life, but I was also getting anxious because I wanted it now and didn't want to go through all the steps to get there. He softly spoke something in my spirit and I will never forget. It is a bugle call in my ear to this day as I walk His path out for my life.
He said, "Enjoy the Journey!"
Scriptures on Commitment to God
Colossians 3:23-24
2 Timothy 2:15
Ecclesiastes 9:10
1 Corinthians 10:31
Matthew 5:16
1 Corinthians 15:58
Colossians 3:23
Romans 12:2
1 Peter 2:9
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about making a promise to God and breaking it?
The Bible clearly warns against making promises to God and then breaking them. In Ecclesiastes 5:4-6, it says, "When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, 'My vow was a mistake.' Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?"
This passage emphasizes the importance of integrity and honesty in our relationship with God. When we make a promise to Him, we should take it seriously and fulfill it. Breaking a promise to God not only shows a lack of respect and reverence for Him, but it also undermines our trustworthiness and faithfulness. Just as God is faithful to His promises, we should strive to be faithful to our commitments to Him. This principle extends beyond our relationship with God and can be applied to our relationships with others. We should always strive to keep our word and fulfill our promises, reflecting the character of God in our actions.
God is a god of grace and mercy. He loves us. If you feel you have broken a promise to the Lord. Take it to Him in prayer, ask Him for forgiveness, take steps to move forward, vow to consider your promises before making them, and only make them if you plan on keeping them.
What does the Bible say about intimacy with God?
Intimacy with God is a central theme in the Bible, as it emphasizes the deep and personal relationship that God desires to have with His people. In the book of James, it is written that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). This shows that intimacy with God is a two-way process, requiring our active pursuit and God's gracious response.
Furthermore, in the Psalms, King David expresses his longing for intimacy with God, saying, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God" (Psalm 42:1). This imagery portrays a deep thirst and desire for communion with God, highlighting the importance of intimacy in our spiritual lives.
Intimacy with God is not just a concept or a religious duty, but a genuine connection that brings fulfillment, joy, and transformation. Through intimacy with God that we experience His love, guidance, and presence in our lives.
What blocks intimacy with God?
There are several factors that can block intimacy with God. One of the main barriers is sin. When we choose to engage in sinful behavior or harbor unconfessed sin in our hearts, it creates a separation between us and God. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 59:2, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Sin hinders our ability to have a close and intimate relationship with God because it goes against His holy nature.
Another factor that can block intimacy with God is a lack of surrender. When we hold onto our own desires, plans, and control, it prevents us from fully submitting to God and His will for our lives. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Surrendering ourselves to God means letting go of our own agendas and allowing Him to lead and guide us. It requires humility and a willingness to trust in His perfect plan.
Shawn Paul is an author and missionary who has been living and working in Central America for the past 10 years. He is passionate about living for Jesus Christ and inspiring others to do the same, which is the focus of his blog, where he shares his expertise in Christianity.
In addition to his missionary work, Shawn enjoys reading books, studying God's Word, growing plants and flowers, feeding birds, and keeping up with the latest technology.
As a writer, Shawn's unique perspective and passion for his faith shine through in his work. Shawn's goal for the future is to impact people around the world for Jesus through his writing and missionary work.