Fully Persuaded.
We are, by nature, creatures of doubt. If someone tells us something that is hard to believe we demand proof, “Prove it then.” If someone promises to do something that seems to good to be true then it probably is. So, we do not hold our breath while we are waiting. We simply allow actions to speak louder than words. We are creatures that need convinced before becoming committed.
- We have been made out to look foolish before. So never again.
- We have been hurt by trusting too much and too quick.
- We have been left in the dust of disappointment one too many times.
- We have had our time wasted more times than we can count.
For these reasons and many more, we require convincing before committing. We want to know our return will be worth our investment. But once we have been fully persuaded that it will be, commitment comes easy.
In Romans 5: 20 – 21, Paul uses Abraham to prove this is true. God promised Abraham a son even though his 100 year-old body was as good as dead. Abraham had every right to demand proof and to doubt God. Yet, this is not how Romans records the story.
“Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he had promised.” Abraham was committed to God’s promise because He had been convinced by God’s power. He was convinced by personal experience with the power of God’s promise.
He was convinced when…
- …God told him to leave his own country for a land that He would show Him. God did exactly that.
- …He went down to Egypt but lied about His wife. God saved him anyway.
- …He rescued Lot, with only 318 trained men, from enemies that had defeated entire nations.
Abraham’s persuasion was from personal experience. This is why it was not difficult for Him to commit to God’s promise.
Commitment is a difficult course to choose. The difficulty is not in the requirement but in the consistency of it. Paul remains us the key is being fully persuaded by the power of God. How has God convinced you that your commitment is worth it? Each time we are convinced of God’s power the easier it becomes to commit to His mission on earth.
Thank you New Life Church for your commitment to Jesus, to His Church, and to His mission on this earth. May our commitment be convincing enough to others to join us!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Jonathan & Sara