Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.
NKJV

Paul had taken a Nazarite vow that he would not touch a dead body; he would drink no wine, eat no grapes, eat no raisins, and allow his hair to grow before cutting it off as a sign of purification (see Numbers 6). But wait, you say, isn't Paul the one who told us that those under grace should not be under bondage? In Galatians 5:1, he wrote, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." This was not bondage for Paul because it helped him minister to the Jews. It was also profitable because it allowed Paul to model service and sacrifice as an example for other Christians.

Friends, I will let you in on something that may surprise you. Commitment is not bondage. By God's grace, we have the opportunity to serve Him. How do we serve God? We serve Him by serving others and His church. Is commitment service or sacrifice? It is both. Every Christian should be ready to serve and be ready for sacrifice. What was the model set forth for us by Jesus? It was one of service and sacrifice. If we are to be "Christ-like," then we must be ready and willing to commit ourselves to live by the example He set for us. We hold ourselves to commitments every day. Commitments we make at our jobs or with our family and friends. What about our commitment to Jesus and His church?

Service or sacrifice, whichever it may be, I'm ready. That is the mindset of a true servant of God.

Life Lesson: We should be committed to God and the church.

Dear God,
Thank You for Your grace and Your mercy. Help me look for ways I can commit to serving others. Please help me to be willing and ready when asked to serve. Lord, when my serving requires sacrifice, please help me not to grumble or complain. Help me to be glad that I can sacrifice my time and effort in serving others and, in turn, recognize that I am serving You. Most importantly, thank You, Lord, that You both serve and sacrifice for us.
I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee

Senior Pastor
The Bridge
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