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 parallel Mark 1:17Matthew 9:9 parallels Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27 See also Matthew 19:21–22; John 1:43, John 21:19, John 21:22; 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.
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.
Jesus Christ frequently spelt out the cost of commitment to him
Matthew 10:37–38 parallel Luke 14:26–27Matthew 16:24 parallels Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23John 12:25–26 See also Matthew 8:22, Matthew 10:39 parallels Mark 8:35, Luke 17:33; Matthew 19:21 parallels Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22; Luke 14:28–33; 1 Peter 2:21
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Jesus Christ's demand for commitment was sometimes met with a refusal
Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
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
A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs He was performing on the sick.
Some committed themselves wholeheartedly to his invitation
Matthew 4:20 parallel Mark 1:18; Matthew 4:22 parallel Mark 1:20; Matthew 9:9 parallels Mark 2:14, Luke 5:28; John 1:40
Secret commitment to Jesus Christ
John 12:42 See also John 3:1–2
Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue.
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, John 14:23–24; 1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Corinthians 16:22; Ephesians 6:5–6, Ephesians 6:24; 1 John 2:3, 1 John 3:22–24; Revelation 14:4
Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.