Transcription
Now, if there is to be an award for the most committed person to a group, to an organization, or a church, what criteria should be used to select the most committed person? If God was to look at us, even in our fellowship, [Music] and decides to pick out the most committed elder or senior citizen amongst us, the most committed man, the most committed woman, the most committed single or youth, the most committed teen, what criteria?
And the best way to begin to look at it is to first of all recognize what commitment is not. You read from this story in Matthew chapter 21, verses 28 to 30. He said, "This man had two sons, and he went to the first one. He said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'" Because there are times where your commitment will be proven by the urgency of your actions, the urgency of your response. And sometimes, someone's lack of sincere commitment will also be demonstrated and proven by the person's delayed response, [Music] and delayed action. [Music]
"He said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'" The son answered, "I will not go." But later, he decided he should go, and he went, and he went, and he went. Then the father went into the other son and said, "Son, go and work today in the vineyard." He answered, "Yes, sir."
Now, take note of this: commitment is not about saying yes. Commitment is not about saying, "Yes, I do." Commitment is not necessarily about saying, "Yes, I will." Commitment is not proven by mere promises and pledgings. For this son said, "Yes, sir," and his response was immediate, giving the impression that his heart was in agreement with what his lips were saying. He didn't say, "Please give me some time to think about it." Instantly, he answered, "Yes, sir."
Because if you observe the first son that was approached, initially said no. But evidently, he reflected on it and then changed his mind. He reflected on it, but initially, he said no. But after reflecting on it, he decided to obey his father's instruction. Now, this other second son did not ask for time to reflect on it, but instantly, he said, "Yes, sir, I will go and work."
Now, it's possible to go and not work. It's also possible to go and not walk within the time that was specified. But in this particular story, the Bible says, "But he did not go." Not that he went and he didn't do what was expected. Because there are different levels of commitment or proof of commitment. There are some who would outrightly tell you no. There are some who would promise you that they would do something. And then there are those who would actually go, but they would not do what they were supposed to have done in that location that they have gone to.
So, the first thing we learn from this story is what commitment is not. Real commitment, real commitment is not proven, is not completely proven by just words or promises. Real commitment is not proven by just words or promises, by just words or promises. For instance, marriage vows. Marriage vows, it's not a proof. It's just part of the process, but it's not a complete proof that the person was ever committed. So, someone making, reciting an oath of office, or pronouncing marriage vows, does not completely, completely confirm that this man, this woman, will be committed to this thing that they have vowed to. They do not. Vows, oaths of office, promises do not validate serious or sincere commitment. [Music]
Still looking at what commitment is not, it is possible to belong and not be genuinely committed. It's possible to belong and not be genuinely committed. It could be to a group, it could be to a workplace, to be to an organization. It's very, very possible for you to belong. You know, most times we assume that because someone has joined the group, the person is committed to the group. It's possible to belong and not be genuinely committed because a person may actually have another agenda. The person may have another goal. And such persons, what happens therein is that they will pretend to be committed. They will pretend to be committed. No wonder the Holy Spirit will tell us in Galatians chapter 6 that "God is not mocked." God is not deceived. [Music] God is not mocked. God is not deceived. Because we can, people can succeed in deceiving people about your level of commitment. I will say that a lot with politicians that are aspiring for some public offerings, and we see this deception for as long as they are still aspiring for that office. And then we are shocked, shocked, shocked to see what that same person begins to demonstrate the moment he or she eventually gets into office. They pretended all along to be committed to the nation, to the welfare of the people, but when they had the opportunity, it was something else. And they didn't derail. Possibly, some very close friend would know that this is the real man that he has seen now in action. All that he said while campaigning and aspiring for office was just pretend. So, there are people who pretend to be committed, and people do this a lot with God. [Music]
And then also, it is possible to have been very committed in the past. Yes, at a time, we are committed. But as of today, as of today, you are no longer committed. And for some, as of today, you are no longer as committed as you used to be. The degree of commitment was more significant in the past compared to what it is today. There is genuine and sincere commitment. And when we are relating with God, because He is the only one that sees our motives, He sees our intentions. So, there is genuine commitment. There is sincere commitment. Commitment that is unconditional. Is unconditional. It's not based on scheming. It's not based on some expectations, and sometimes, are more often hidden expectations. There is also, on the reverse, fake and insincere commitment. Insincere commitment. Fake commitment. [Music] And in instances like this, there will be evidence of commitment, but it's not been done with a sincere heart. It's not been done with a right motive, a sincere motive. It's been done under the circumstance of pretense, scheming, high service, deceit, hypocrisy. It's not real commitment. No, recall. You see the person working so hard, donating new sums of money in some instances. It's not real. It's not real. [Music]
And that's why the question will come up from time to time: "How committed are you? How committed are you to God? How committed are you to God?" [Music] We will not live forever, but we all desire to live as long as possible in good health, fulfilling divine purpose. But one question that will come up the moment your time is up here or not: "How committed were you to God?" And then this plays out with God. It may not matter with men, but with God, your motive will be examined. Because at the judgment seat of Christ, motives of good deeds would be examined, and people will lose out because they did very good things, but with the wrong motive, with an insincere motive. How committed are you to God? [Music]