Sunday, October 23, 2005

Commitment

Commitment

Gtcotr/ss102305

What are you committed to?

Key Scripture: 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

The Apostle John, called the disciple of love, the same disciple whom Jesus entrusted His mother’s welfare to as He spoke from the cross, reveals the true hope of God.

John is speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit late in his lifetime and tells that his true heart’s desire is that, in representation, we would prosper and be in health, even as our souls prosper.

How can a man’s soul prosper?

We have come to understand that man is a triune being, created in the image and likeness of God Himself. Man is a Spirit, he has a soul and he lives in a body.

The Spirit of man is his life force. The body is his earth suit which houses man’s soul during his earthly journey.

The soul of man is that which makes us, us! Our mind, will and emotions. The makeup of our collected thoughts, desires, intelligence, wisdom, feelings and determinations.

The soul of man is where decisions are made and actions are taken. This is the part of man which needs to be saved.

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, their souls were emptied of the life of God and they became mere mortals. Mortality was passed on to all the natural descendents of Adam and Eve. From that time forth … man was born in sin and destined to die.

This is what God meant when He said:

Genesis 2

16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

We know from a later scripture, Genesis 5:5, that Adam lived to be 930 years old, and then he died.

What did God mean, “in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”?

Adam surely did die - spiritually … Adam’s soul died spiritually, not in that it ceased to exist, but in that was it no longer infused with the immortal life force of God. God withdrew Himself from man. It was in this spiritual death that Adam lost his right relationship with God.

This is why Adam and Eve had no eternal right relationship to pass on to their sons and daughters and no immortality or godliness.

Right relationship with God would now have to be purchased by the blood of bulls and goats which would be sacrificed for the sins of men and women each year as they came to God for cleansing on the day of atonement. During the year rules would have to be followed, laws, commands kept in order to maintain one’s right relationship with God.

The prophets foretold of a time when God would offer one perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. One sacrifice for all sins forever.

Isaiah 53:1-12 & Hebrews 10:12

This perfect sacrifice would be a man, descended from the tribe of Judah, born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem, the seed of Abraham, the Lord of David, the Son of God. His name is Jesus!

Luke 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?

This Messiah would first become the scapegoat and then become King.

It is also my prayer today that God would grant you prosperity and health as He prospers your soul …

The place in your life Where decisions are made and actions are taken.

How can you work with God to see your soul become successful?

* Commit to God’s Word; Commit to God’s Will; Commit to God’s Way. Ready yourselves to make a commitment …

* When we:

1. Commit to God’s Word …

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

* … It will transform our life.

A commitment to God’s word, will transform your life.

2. Commit to God’s Will …

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

* … It will direct our steps

A commitment to God’s will, will direct your steps.

3. Commit to God’s Way …

Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

* … It will guide our thoughts.

A commitment to God’s way, will guide your thoughts.