What Is Committment?

What Is Commitment?
By James J. Jackson
The concept of commitment has been victimized by today’s extreme focus upon self. Loyalty and dedication are considered undesirable or even laughable traits. Commitment in marriage, family, child rearing, business or politics is considered antiquated and inessential by current cultural dictates.
Pre-nuptial agreements were mostly unheard of years ago. Today, most advisors encourage such agreements to protect each partner’s rights to money, children and possessions. Had I suggested a prenuptial when I proposed to my wife, she probably would have suggested we enter into a ‘no nuptial’ agreement, and go our separate ways. Marriage was ordained as an institution that should be approached reverently, spiritually and permanently. When initiated within the proper spirit, a man and woman can enter into the ‘free fall’ of committed love. Trust is essential in marriage; the kind of trust shown in a reliance-building game in which one partner falls backward and trusts the other person to catch him or her. Today’s TV talk shows would rather the person allow their mate to collapse to the floor for the humor of it. It’s all about trust. A pre-nuptial agreement doesn’t reflect true trust and commitment. In fact, it illustrates just the opposite-mistrust and selfishness.
Many people enter into marriage with little or no commitment, focusing only upon themselves. Marriage is a covenant, instituted by God, wh1ich should be enjoined only after prayerful meditation. Mark 10:7-8 says, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ‘and the two shall become one flesh’, so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Society tells us that each partner should remain an individual. One young couple who insisted upon a church wedding expressed that their commitment was based upon a ‘12-24 check’, whereby they would check after one year, and again after two years to determine whether they really loved one another. If not, the marriage would end. The marriage lasted less than two years. With such lack of loyalty, failure was a foregone conclusion.
The appalling divorce rate could be greatly decreased if people would, first of all choose a mate who shares their values, who shares the same belief system, and is willing to rear children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Some of the new practices often included in weddings today make a mockery of the love that should emanate from marriage, such as the bride and groom smashing wedding cake into each other’s face. Commitment means making a ‘bottom line’ pledge to each other that every situation, disagreement, major decision, problem, will be handled in the framework that their love for one another is the bottom line, and that no circumstance could change that. When commitment is foremost in marriage, child rearing or any sort of partnership, the probability of success is greatly enhanced. But, commitment is the one ingredient lacking in so many relationships.

For example, too many parents neglect the covenant between themselves and their children. God gives specific and frequent direction to discipline children in love, and to train, guide and protect them from harm. Especially, we are commanded to bring them to a knowledge of the Lord. Today, people abuse, neglect and harm children, in spite of Christ’s dire warning, “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” (Luke 17:2; Matt. 18:6; Mark 9:42). Apparently, many do not realize the consequences of disobeying the Lord. Many parents allow children to make dangerous decisions and call the shots in situations where the child cannot possible have the information or cognizance to make correct choices.
God also expects us to be committed when we take on job, enter a partnership, sign an agreement, take an oath (for we are swearing before God) or promise to do something. He wants us to show the greatest measure of commitment by fulfilling His Great Commission by making disciples for Christ, and teaching them obedience to all that He has taught us. We must be committed enough to approach every relationship and every task from His perspective. His call to commitment is fulfilled when others see Christ in us.