Threefold Commitment

Three: The Will

Becoming a Christian not only involves your intellect and your emotions, it also involves your will. You must first be willing to obey God and His Word.


Christ emphasized the importance of man's will in relation to the assurance of salvation. Some people are reluctant to obey Christ because they fear He will change their plans and take all the fun out of their lives. Many also refuse to follow Christ for fear He will demand they sell their possessions and give everything to the poor as Jesus told the rich young ruler to do.


As you walk in faith and obedience to God as an act of your will allowing Him to change your life, you will gain increasing assurance of your relationship with Him. You will experience God's work in your life as He enables you to do what you could never have done on your own.


But, if you do not trust God and His plan for your life and obey His commands, you will inevitably have doubts about your salvation.


Some people refuse to receive Christ because of pride or self-will.


Many also have used intellectual issues as a smoke screen to cover the deeper issues of the heart.


Another reason people are reluctant to commit their lives to Christ is because Satan has deceived them (John 8:44).


But no matter what influence may be keeping you from Christ, you can turn from that influence and turn to Christ.


To be sure you are a Christian, you must be aware of basic truths from the Scriptures. You must not only believe these truths intellectually, but you also must, as an act of your will, accept them and make them central to your life.


This begins with knowing that God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.


But you are sinful and separated from God. You were created to have fellowship with God but because of self-will, you chose to go your own way as all have. This self-will is revealed in either active rebellion against God or passive indifference to Him which the Bible calls "sin." Your sin has separated you from God because He is holy. People attempt to reach God and the abundant life through their own efforts including living a good life and holding to a certain philosophy and religion. But no human efforts enable a person to reach God.