Hosanna Restoration Church

Recently I was considering the words of the Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 12 where we are told to submit ourselves to God as living sacrifices and it occurred to me that a person can actually be submitted without being committed. Think about it. Eve was submitted to God, but not committed enough to keep from being deceived. Little children submit to their parents while they are watching. We may submit to the speed limit unless we think no one sees. I am sure you get what I am saying here.

Even born again Christians can submit to God in concept, but if we are not committed to Him and to His word, we struggle much more than we need to. Submitted people submit to what they want to submit to. Committed people submit to what they know and even what they do not know, simply because they have chosen to go the whole way.

Early in my walk with God, someone close to me asked me if I really believe everything in the Bible. I quickly said yes I do. At that point I actually knew very little of what the Bible said but I was committed to what God had already done in my life. I was committed because I had already experienced enough to know that this was the best thing I had ever experienced. It was amazing to be content not knowing for sure what was ahead but being certain that it was a good road.

It was that commitment that has kept me for nearly 30 years. I am not saying that this is a better thing, I am simply saying that to be completely submitted and person needs to be completely committed. As the Word says, we must hold fast. As in a marriage, people who are committed to the union will overcome the storms because they are committed. If they are only submitted to one another as long as the love feeling is there, it is easy enough to break out.

Israel would submit time after time, only to forget the Lord. Submission without the commitment often takes place when people see they are beat. You can give up without giving in. How many people have given up and decided yes I want my sins forgiven, yes I want to go to heaven and prayed a prayer, but then never really gave in to the will of God? This is submitting to an idea without committing to a life.

Submission says, “I see what you are saying, so I will go along with it for now.” Commission says, “I am in it for the long haul. You can depend on me. I will not turn my back on you. I will do my part.” Seems like that is what Jesus said to us. He committed to the plan of the Father. Had He only submitted, He may have called for the angels to stop the whole process when it got tough. But just as He committed to us; yes to us, we also need to be committed to Him. If we commit; we will trust. This is how we can see Him bring things to pass. Are you committed? This is something to consider.