God's Commitment Day
Introduction
When we think of commitment, many things come to our minds. Perhaps we even begin to think of reasons why we aren't as committed as we ought to be. I recently read an article which was an interesting set of reasons why one person had lost his commitment -to sports of all things. "I quit sports...want to know why?"
Every time I went, they asked me for money.
The people with whom I had to sit didn't seem very friendly.
The seats were too hard and not comfortable.
The coach never came to call on me.
The referee made a decision with which I could not agree.
I was sitting with some hypocrites...they came only to see what others were wearing.
Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.
The band played some numbers I had not heard before.
The games are scheduled when I want to do other things.
My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.
Since I read a book on sports, I feel that I now know more than the coaches anyhow.
I don't want to take my children, because I want them to choose for themselves what sports they like best.
I'm sure you see the parallel to our excuses regarding our commitment to the Lord's work. It is my belief that the only reason that we can dare ask our people to make a commitment of their lives to God is because God has already made a commitment to us. His commitment day was marked by weeping and sorrow, darkness and angry curses. You see in the midst of all the pain of a Roman crucifixion, God committed Himself to us.
As we read our Scripture passage regarding God's commitment day, let us remember that this letter was directed to a people who had been scattered abroad by the persecution of the Roman government. These early Christians were living in fear for their lives. They needed to know that God had made a commitment to them. So do we. Let's read about it in 1 Peter 2:1-10.
I. God Has Committed Himself To Those Who Belong To Him
In the midst of the terror and loneliness of exile, it must have been a great encouragement to know they were "God's own people." They belonged to Him. The phrase in v.9 that is often translated "a peculiar people" actually means a people who belong to God. These same people are called a chosen race. Jesus' words echo here as he said, "You did not choose" (John 15:16). They are also called a holy nation, a set apart people, set apart unto God. This was both a compliment as well as a commission. "I am the Lord who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:45).
A little boy was found on a city street ragged and obviously lost. A man stopped to see if he could help. When he asked the little boy who he belonged to, the little boy looked up angrily and with hurt in his face to reply, "I ain't nobody's nothing."
Christians may know many kinds of pain, but they never have to experience the pain of believing they are "nobody's nothing." They are God's people. They belong to Him.
To say, "You are God's people" is to remind us that though some are God's people, others do not belong to Him. This does not mean that they were not created by Him or that He does not love them. It simply means that some have not been willing to come to Him. A man or woman may go to hell unsaved, but a person can never go unloved. Listen to these things God does not know. God doesn't know anyone who isn't a sinner (Romans 3:23). God doesn't know anyone He doesn't love (John 3:16). God doesn't know any other way to get to heaven except through His Son, Jesus Christ (I John 14:6). God doesn't know any better time for you to be saved than right now (II Corinthians 6:2). We can all be His people. Will you respond to God who wants to commit Himself to you?
II. God Has Committed Himself To Us Through His Son Who Is The Cornerstone
God did not send a substitute to do what He had to do Himself. If He had remained only God, he could not have reached down and suffered for us. If he had only been a man, He could not have saved us. No substitute could take His place. Nor could God send an angel to save His people.
In order to save us, He sent a part of Himself, His Son, His only Son, to be born as a man, to live and die, to shed His blood in payment for our evil. Do you see how much God loved you?
Is it any wonder then, that when the God who gave Himself asks for our commitment? He asks not for substitutes for ourselves but for our very lives. He asks not for excuses. He asks not for part of you. He wants you!
III. God Has Committed Himself To Us So That We Might Declare
Verse 9 says clearly that God has chosen us in order that we may declare the strong, or wonderful deeds of our Savior God. There is always a purpose to God's action. He does not save us simply to count us. He calls us to be His people in order that we might share aloud the glory of His deeds done on our behalf and the radiance of the light which has penetrated our darkness.
On the day of Pentecost the infant church proclaimed in a powerful and gracious manner, "the mighty works of God" (Acts 2:11). When the power of those mighty deeds surges through our hearts, then we are able to witness to a cynical world with lips and lives which are eager expressions of the joy and victory which has claimed us in Jesus. He has given us bold deeds to declare boldly.
Friends, why be ashamed of what God is doing? When asked what he would do if the ordination council refused ordination, young preacher replied, "I've just got to preach...It's what God has called me to do." Friends, we got to declare the bold deeds of the Lord.
The only reason that the church can call you to the commitment of all of life, including your tithes, abilities, and time, is because your God has committed Himself fully to you. He has held nothing back. He gave Himself wholly that you might be His people. He has called upon you to be His own in order that all "outsiders" might become "insiders."
He now calls you to commit yourself to Him, to declare His wonderful deeds to a world in darkness. He has come that you might go. He has loved that you might love. Will you make this your commitment day?