Materially we are the richest, most blessed nation in the world.  In fact, by international standards the poorest of us, is rich.  We don’t see it that way, yet  it’s true. In the eyes of the rest of the world we are self centered, arrogant and morally bankrupt.  We are undisciplined and have no concept of what it means to keep a commitment.  Many of us find ourselves overcommitted because we lack the training or ability to say NO.  It appears that we commit to everything, or nothing at all.  Don’t believe me?  Honestly answer this question: when another believer asks you to pray or agree with them about something do you do it?  Do you pray?  Chances are (if you were being honest), your answer is no.  In an effort to make my point, I want to take a look at some statistical data that may shock you:
 

• 1,000,000 Children are dragged through their parents divorce each year
• 50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce
• Christian divorce rates stand at 27% in the US, as compared to 21% for Atheists
• Children who grow up in single-parent homes are less likely to marry, more likely to divorce, and more likely to have children outside of wedlock
• Children of divorce are 62% more likely than children of non-divorced parents to no longer identify with the faith of their parents when they grow up
• The average Youth Pastor keeps the position 18 months
• 346,213 American sexual encounters resulted a pregnancy that ended in abortion
• 70% of all men incarcerated in America were raised in fatherless homes
• Most churches in America feel the need to recruit volunteers with minimal commitment levels in order to be successful.
  

I think the saddest statistical point of all is that as most of you read the statistics listed above they didn’t shock you.  Many of you thought, “yeah, that sounds about right”.

We come to the altar and say, “Jesus, I commit my life to you”, but in reality we are more committed to our favorite sports teams than we are to God.  Let me make one more unpopular statement: too many of us come to Jesus because we have been told that the Christian life is a better, easier life. Truth be told, living the Christian life isn’t easy, living the Christian life according to Godly principles is hard!  Especially if you try to do it with your own power.

Humanism has become so deeply entrenched in the American way of life that it has a stranglehold on the church.  The word says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”  (Philippians 4:13).  Most of us focus more on the “I can” than the “THROUGH CHRIST”.  The Bible is pretty clear.....it states, “submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).  Do you really expect the devil to flee from you and your un-submitted life?  Well, I did.  You read that right, I said “I did”.  I grew up a “word bird”, so I expected to stand on any scripture in or out of context as long as it served MY purpose and God would honor it.  After all “He holds His word even above His name”, right?  Far too many believers can work God (and work is the word), but if He reminds you that you are supposed to live a life committed and submitted to Him you blow Him off, or worse, say “Get thee behind me Satan”.  After all, “There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus”.

I know, I know, messages like this are not the kind of messages that win friends, increase your partner base, or bring in big offerings.  Sorry, I’m not an “itching ears” preacher.  Just a M.O.G. (Man of God) determined to grow in Him and take others with me, whether it’s popular and pays the bills, or not.  You see a couple of weeks ago a pastor friend of mine in York, PA and I agreed to fast and pray together for one day.  During that day the Holy Spirit began to deal with me on the subject of commitments.  He lead me to read two large passages of scripture that deal with being too independent and holding back from God, specifically with our money.  As I read Deuteronomy 8:1-20 and James 5:1-6 from the New Living Translation I knew that if I would let him, God was about to teach me something (I could print the two passages for you, but then you wouldn’t make a simple commitment to get your bible out and read two passages of scripture).  In fact, I am even going to resist sharing a synopsis of the two passages, because you need to read and chew on them for yourself.  If you do, I’d be surprised if you can still attempt to do things in your own strength, or if you’ll ever hold back when God prompts you to give to someone or situation.

I just want to encourage you. Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he WILL flee from you.  Let’s all grow together in the concept of what commitment really means.  It’s time we, as believers become known for keeping our commitments.