Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8209 commitment, to Jesus Christ

8209 commitment, to Jesus Christ

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8207 commitment » 8209 commitment, to Jesus Christ

Commitment to Jesus Christ is grounded in the knowledge of his saving power and divinity, and expresses itself in adoration and obedience to Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ commanded people to make the commitment to follow him

Matthew 4:19 pp Mark 1:17 Matthew 9:9 pp Mark 2:14 pp Luke 5:27 See also Matthew 19:21-22; John 1:43; John 21:19,22; Romans 15:5; 1 Corinthians 1:12 There may have been a “Christ-party” at Corinth, or in contrast with the sectarianism, Paul may be asserting his own commitment to Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ frequently spelt out the cost of commitment to him

Matthew 10:37-38 pp Luke 14:26-27 Matthew 16:24 pp Mark 8:34 pp Luke 9:23 John 12:25-26 See also Matthew 8:22; Matthew 10:39 pp Mark 8:35 pp Luke 17:33; Matthew 19:21 pp Mark 10:21 pp Luke 18:22; Luke 14:28-33; 1 Peter 2:21

Jesus Christ's demand for commitment was sometimes met with a refusal

Luke 9:59 See also Luke 9:61

Sometimes people followed Jesus Christ without being truly committed to him

John 6:2 This would have been true for many in the crowds. See also John 6:66

Some committed themselves wholeheartedly to his invitation

Matthew 4:20 pp Mark 1:18; Matthew 4:22 pp Mark 1:20; Matthew 9:9 pp Mark 2:14 pp Luke 5:28; John 1:40

Secret commitment to Jesus Christ

John 12:42 See also John 3:1-2

True commitment to Jesus Christ is seen in love and obedience to him

John 14:21; Philippians 2:12 In response to who Jesus Christ is and what he has done. See also John 8:31; John 14:15,23-24; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Corinthians 16:22; Ephesians 6:5-6,24; 1 John 2:3; John 3:22-24; Revelation 14:4