The above statement could play out in many arenas, but I’m especially concerned of its role in spiritual matters. By the inconvenience of commitment, I’m referring to those who are hesitant, or just flat-out refuse to make a commitment to Jesus Christ out of fear that such a commitment may inconvenience them in some way. One man told a preacher that he wanted to place membership with his church, but not to ask him to do anything because he was involved with so many other things. He would not make a commitment because it might inconvenience him with other things he wanted to do. Does this sound like “seeking first the kingdom of God…” (Matthew 6:33)?
People wonder why Christianity doesn’t live up to the promises of the Bible. They ask, “Where is the inner strength and peace?” These characteristics of genuine Christianity are only promised to the truly committed. Not only that, but salvation itself is only promised to the truly committed. No where in the Bible has God promised salvation to those who are only half-hearted in their dedication to Christ. The mind-set of our society has drifted so far from the Word of God that people wonder what I mean by the foregoing statement!
Most people are “nice” and somewhat moral. But if we could be saved simply by being nice, and moral, then why did Jesus have to die on the Cross? There is more to being saved than what most realize. They don’t realize it because they don’t study the Bible and therefore remain in ignorance. God said, “My people are destroyed for their lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Peter writes, “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear. (1Peter 4:18).
We need to pull our religion out of the closet and prioritize it in our lives, even if it inconveniences us. (cf Luke 14:33).
Find the truth about God and become a New Testament Christian. Find out more about New Testament Christianity by running some Internet searches for “church of Christ” and “churches of Christ.” You may also want to visit http://www.abiblecommentary.com for Bible study information.
Remember, in order to be saved and enjoy all God’s blessings (not the least of which is salvation), a person must have faith (Jn. 8:24), be willing to repent (Lk. 13:3), and after confessing Christ as Lord, the final step is water baptism (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Pet. 3:20-21). Bible baptism is by immersion only (“burial,” Rom. 6:4), and once it is done, heaven puts that person “into Christ” (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3). After proper baptism a person has their sins forgiven (Acts 2:38).