But Jesus said to him,
“No one, having put his hand to the plow
And looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:62

Have you noticed how prevalent it is today for people to have an issue with commitment? Even marriage, the greatest commitment of all between two people, seems to be totally conditional these days. “I love you and I’ll commit to you as long as you make me happy. If I become unhappy in our relationshipment, the commitment goes out the door along with your packed bags!” It is extremely rare these days to find a couple that has been married for a long time. It is not uncommon now for couples who have been together for ten, fifteen, twenty years to part ways. And what about commitment to a job, an organization or a church? Real commitment is almost a thing of the past and it is so, so sad. It simply reflects the flighty, self-centered, all-about-me attitude of this present generation.

But when it comes to our commitment to Jesus Christ, there is absolutely no allotment for halfhearted commitment. It has to be all or nothing! Jesus said to The Church of Laodicea in the Book of Revelation...“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Revelation 3:15-16

There is a place in scripture where the Lord tells us that, like a builder who takes into account all the costs before he starts building, we should consider the cost of discipleship before we make a commitment. It is not a light thing, for Jesus signs that covenant with His precious Holy Blood. (Luke 14:28) And if we then, deliberately turn away from that partnership, how can we obtain redemption a second time? “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)

There was a time in Jesus day when some of His disciples did leave following Him.  He had taught something that was difficult for them to understand, so they just called it quits! So Jesus asked the twelve, “Will you leave also?” Note the answer that Peter gave, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life.” (John 6:66-68) Anytime I’ve ever thought about leaving my Christianity behind because of worldly opposition, issues of faith or disciplines that seemed too hard to follow, I think to myself, “To whom or what would I turn if I didn’t have Jesus?” No one else and nothing else holds the key to abundant life on this earth and eternal life in the hereafter. He is my Best Friend. There is nothing I can‘t tell Him and nothing for which I can’t depend on Him. When I’m sad, He has words to cheer me and when I’m glad, He rejoices with me. How would I ever make it without Him? I’ll tell you something, “I don’t plan to try!”