Blessings follow commitment. But, commitment must absolutely come first. The prize follows the price.
Abraham was promised great things - "indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." (Genesis 22.17-18) Few people have been recipient of such great promises: innumerable descendants, land, and a special descendant Who would be a blessing to all. But, those promises came on the heels of the ultimate challenge and test: willingness to sacrifice his only son.
Our Father extends phenomenal blessings and promises to us. But, like Abraham, there is key condition: "because you have obeyed My voice." The radical step of faith and commitment prefaces the flow of blessings and promises.
Radical commitment isn't a popular notion these days. Many spiritual seekers these days "church shop" for a congregation that offers the best programs and most dynamic worship. The focus is on what best meets their needs. Sadly, this mentality circumvents the priority of radical commitment. It must begin with what I what I can offer, rather than what I can get.
It is a well-deserved title that Abraham should be called the father of the faithful. His radical commitment to faith and sacrifice distinguish him from all others. We are recipients of blessings because of him, but these blessings should never blind us to the priority of our personal commitment.
What is your radical commitment? What steps of faith and commitment have you made, and are you making today? What is it about your commitment that distinguishes you from others? These are important questions for each of us to consider concerning what it is, and Who it is, that matters most. May our commitment be wholehearted and resolute, paving the way for God's fullest blessings in our lives.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Abraham was promised great things - "indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." (Genesis 22.17-18) Few people have been recipient of such great promises: innumerable descendants, land, and a special descendant Who would be a blessing to all. But, those promises came on the heels of the ultimate challenge and test: willingness to sacrifice his only son.
Our Father extends phenomenal blessings and promises to us. But, like Abraham, there is key condition: "because you have obeyed My voice." The radical step of faith and commitment prefaces the flow of blessings and promises.
Radical commitment isn't a popular notion these days. Many spiritual seekers these days "church shop" for a congregation that offers the best programs and most dynamic worship. The focus is on what best meets their needs. Sadly, this mentality circumvents the priority of radical commitment. It must begin with what I what I can offer, rather than what I can get.
It is a well-deserved title that Abraham should be called the father of the faithful. His radical commitment to faith and sacrifice distinguish him from all others. We are recipients of blessings because of him, but these blessings should never blind us to the priority of our personal commitment.
What is your radical commitment? What steps of faith and commitment have you made, and are you making today? What is it about your commitment that distinguishes you from others? These are important questions for each of us to consider concerning what it is, and Who it is, that matters most. May our commitment be wholehearted and resolute, paving the way for God's fullest blessings in our lives.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
posted by steve @ 8:06 AM
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