II TIMOTHY 1: 8 – 12 : Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asked His disciples a very direct question: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter was quick to declare, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” From that time on Jesus began to teach them that He must go to Jerusalem to suffer many things – including being killed. He also told them He would be raised again the third day.
Peter being his impulsive self – took Jesus aside and rebuked Him. Jesus informed him that he was mindful of the things of men – not the things of God. In other words: “Peter, you don’t understand the mission God has given me, nor my commitment to that mission.” According to I Peter 2:21 -23, Jesus suffered for us leaving an example of how to really commit ourselves to God.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.
Since Jesus has gone back to the Father, God has committed His Word and His work to us. This is a wonderful privilege with a great responsibility attached to it. We are “allowed” to share the good news that this world needs to hear. Consider the words of the Apostle Paul in I Thessalonians 2:4:
“But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”
Why has God committed His Word and His work to us? II Corinthians 5: 18-19 says God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ. Not only that, He has given us the ministry of reconciliation. We have God’s Word to share with others who have not been reconciled to Him.
Following the example of Jesus’ commitment and knowing what God has committed to us, we need to make a full commitment to Him. This commitment includes the following:
We are committed to be unashamed of the testimony of Jesus. We are to be partakers of the affliction of the gospel. We are committed to knowing who we have believed. We are fully persuaded that He is able to keep what we have committed to Him against that day.
All believers need to honestly ask themselves a question. Am I really committed?
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 
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