“Commit to God and be guided by Him” is a very clear theme in Acts 15:36-16:10. From this passage, and particularly from Paul’s desire in Acts 15:36-41, we get a very clear idea of what commitment to God is.
The passage reveals that he wanted him and his companions to visit and strengthen the brothers whom they had ministered to in their first missionary journey. Luke, therefore, introduces us to Paul’s second missionary journey. And it is here where we observe that Paul was committed to God.
When you take a loan,
you have to keep making monthly payments.
The moment you stop
your commitment to clearing the loan is questioned/doubted.
Commitment, therefore, means that you are not a hit-and-run kind of person. Instead, you are a hit-and-stay kind of person. That’s why Paul perfectly exemplifies what it means to commit to God.
In fact, in my opinion, Paul was one of the most committed followers of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:21, 3:7-8). He was passionate about souls – he loved the saints (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Probably that’s why he felt that John Mark didn’t meet the threshold for commitment to God in mission.
Commitment to God is a function of passion and priority
Commitment is a function of passion. It is passion manifested (1 John 2:3-5). And passion is when you don’t need to be pushed to do something. You can even do it for free.
However, passion for divine things comes only by knowing Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18). It is born out of a relationship with God and a keen awareness and consumption of His love. Actually, Paul was driven and compelled by the love of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
The more I have grown in fellowship with God, the more I have grown in passion. I am able to serve Him at my cost.
Paul’s priority was God’s mission. Therefore, commitment is a priority manifested. For his second missionary journey was very intentional.
Therefore, commitment to God involves passion and priority. In other words, the 2Ps of commitment are passion and priority. And they grow out of relating with Christ through committing to the following.
- His Word (Philippians 2:16, 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 (Acts 9:15-16 and 21:13))
- Prayer
- Fellowship and service
Commit to God and He will guide you
Paul’s commitment is what attracted/activated God’s continuous guidance (Acts 16:1-10). For once he resolved to visit and strengthen the brothers, and started to implement the same, God guided him. And it thus becomes clear that Paul’s commitment to God and to the brothers enabled God to direct him according to His will.
That’s why we read of the Holy Spirit forbidding him from ministering the word in certain places. The Holy Spirit also prevented him from going into certain places.
However, it is only until Paul received a vision that he concluded that God had called them to preach in Macedonia. And he went to the same.
What I want you to realize is that God’s guidance came to Paul and his companions after they had started their second missionary journey. And therefore, once you start your journey in God’s will, He will guide you. He will order your steps.
Therefore, commit to God, and He will guide you! Amen.
(Preached on 1st August 2021 at Machakos FC)
