The five commitments we need to encourage each other to make and keep are:  a commitment to love Jesus Christ (that's worship!); a commitment to love other believers (that's fellowship!); a commitment to grow in God's word (that's discipleship!); a commitment to serve in ministry (that's ministry!); and a commitment to share the Good News (that's mission or evangelism!)  Remember a commitment is MORE than a decision.  A commitment moves beyond deciding to do something to actually putting a plan and process together to accomplish it and then doing it!  Remember that a "commitment" to do something that has no connection to reality--in other words a "commitment" with no plan, process or action in place to demonstrate that we are serious about doing it, is not a commitment.  It's a delusion.

My level of intensity for living has increased a great deal in the past week and a half.  Alex Summers' death has reminded me, and I think all of us, that this life is short, and it can be over in the blink of an eye.  Eternity is long.  It's forever.  We will spend the vast majority of our lives in eternity.  We all have eternal life.  The only question is where we will live it--in heaven or hell.  That's more direct than usual for me, but I never shrink from telling the truth that God offers us life or death.  From the Old Testament people of Israel, through the judgment of all people in the Book of Revelation, the Bible makes it clear that the only two options we have are life or death.  That life or death starts here on earth and continues forever.  The decisions and commitments we make here impact where and how we will live for eternity.

I'm not trying to scare anyone, or guilt anyone into trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord.  I'm simply stating the truth as lovingly and caringly as I can.  I don't want anyone to go to hell, but I don't have anything to say about that.  The only person over whom I have influence in that regard is myself.  You have to respond to Jesus' invitation yourself.  He died on the cross of Calvary, shedding His innocent blood to pay the penalty for our sin, and to conquer death for us.  He calls us to live in the power of the Spirit that brought Him back from the dead and assures us that eternal life is not just "pie in the sky in the by and by,"  but is a full and abundant life right here and now, even in times of tremendous sorrow and loss.

We DO become what we're committed to in life--in this life and the next.  My prayer is that each of us will pause and consider where our commitments are leading us for now and forever.

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to rescue us from sin and death and to give us life in all its fullness--here and now and forever.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may live that full life with such joy and power that others will be drawn to glorify You and respond to Jesus' offer of eternal life.  We ask this prayer in His name.  Amen.