Committed – A Many Splendored Thing

Committed – A Many Splendored Thing. 2 Timothy 1.12-14

Committed.  It is a well-utilized word.  While the word is used to mean a feeling of one’s loyalty or troth to a person or cause, it is also a powerful verb, an action.   Paul talks about a committed contract between God and us that I find quite fascinating.  He writes “ . . . nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.” 2 Tim. 1.12-14

Look carefully.  Paul comments that he has entrusted or committed himself to Christ, and then clearly states that God has committed something to us as well—the faith and love of Christ, which we are to keep. I love this: Not only do we put our trust in God, he also puts his trust in us.¹ Whenever God needs a job done, he entrusts that job to a man or a woman to get it done.  We are his agents in this world—intended to share his love in practical ways so that people can come to know him.  You see, God wants us to relieve suffering, pursue justice, facilitate reconciliation, and free the heart to love, but he desires for us to do so in a way that reveals his character. It is not enough just to do well for others or to do things well. We must do well in our unique way in order to reveal the vast creativity of a God who loves to bring change through the most unlikely channels.²

Look over your shoulder at the Welsh revival, where God used Evan Roberts as a spark to bring thousands to him in Wales; at the abolition of slavery in England, when God used William Wilberforce to set men free; and more recently, in the early 1970s, when the Jesus Movement was fueled by Chuck Smith from Southern California.  Because “Pastor Chuck”, (as he was fondly called), did what God told Timothy to do,

hold to the standard of sound teaching

that you have heard from me,

in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus³

--the Gospel spread.  Church doors opened, Hippies sat down with conservative Christian believers, contemporary Christian music was birthed and exploded, and thousands (probably millions as a result of the gospel being taught 24 hours a day on radio), committed themselves to Jesus Christ.  Chuck did indeed embody ‘teaching the Word and loving people.’  I wonder if this was his life verse - “Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.”⁴?  We cannot ask him until we get to Heaven, but it sure seems possible!⁵⁾   The main message of Paul’s teaching in his first letter to Timothy and his letter to Titus, was ‘maintain sound doctrine’; that is,

 do not let the world shape or change the message of the Cross—                  that because of Jesus, men and women can know forgiveness of sins, peace within, and hope forever.                    The message is the same to us today—be committed!

What causes one to be committed?  Does being committed make any difference as to how we live? O, I dare say it does!  And that God has committed something to us in return?  Oh, yes it makes a difference in how we live our lives—as we are called to live in such a way that shows we are committed to him, and have accepted what he has committed to us—the life of love and faith.                                                                     

‘Ever read this by Goethe?  Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative (and Creation),
there is one elementary truth
~ the ignorance which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:  that the moment that one definitely commits one’s self,
 then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one
that would never otherwise have occurred.   A whole stream of events issues from the decision
 raising in one’s favor all manner
of unforeseen incidents and meetings,
  and material substance
which no one could have dreamt
 would have come your way … GOETHE⁶

Committed – a many splendored thing.

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