Branded by Commitment

The brands that we love are known for something. They’re known for their quality. They’re known for being cool or for looking good. They’re known for something that we like, and that’s why we acquire them. That’s why we want to wear them. But what are you known for? What’s your “brand”?   Today, we’re talking about what it means to be branded by a commitment and what it would look like for you to commit this year, specifically to God and a church.  Put a Stake in the Ground. Make a commitment.  Make a change. Claim this decision. What stakes do you need to put in the ground before the year ends?   Paul writes to the church in the city of Colossae: “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.” (Colossians 1:4)  They were known for their commitment to Jesus – “we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus…” Their reputation preceded them. People knew about their faith. Do people know you as a follower of Jesus? Have people heard of your faith? What would it look like for you to be known as a person who is committed to Jesus?   They were known for their commitment to their church family – “… the love that you have for all the saints.” Attend church on Sunday and spend time in a small group. Our culture has a consumer mindset when it comes to church. Don’t treat God’s church like a restaurant. Go where God calls you to go and commit to helping resolve issues and making ministry better.   When You’re Committed, You Get: 1. Help to Strengthen Your Faith - “For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you.” (Colossians 4:9) Your church family prays for you. Everybody needs at least one prayer partner. 2. Help to Guide Your Decisions - “We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,…” (Colossians 4:9) Everybody has the potential to drift from the Lord. Be alert to behavioral changes in the people in your life. The responsibility to keep one another from drifting is a group thing. 3. “So that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.”  (Colossians 4:10) The whole point is so that you walk worthy of God. Pleasing God, producing fruit by your actions, and knowing God’s will. When you struggle to know God’s will, your church friends, leaders, and pastors will help you make decisions.   As we get ready to close out this year, think about what decisions you need to make. I encourage you to put a stake in the ground that you will be committed to the Lord and committed to a church.