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Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Executive Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Php. 3:7-11 ESV)
Paul, the writer of most of the epistles, makes one of his primary defenses of his faith in the third chapter of his letter to the Philippians. In the preceding verses, he enumerates the accolades of his spiritual resumé. We know from Acts 9 that he was a stellar persecutor of the church. He was a Pharisee and a highly trained teacher of the law (even by Gamaliel). Yet none of that mattered.
What mattered most to Paul was not his commitment to the attributes of his character, training, or experience. Rather, he counted them as nothing, as rubbish… trash on the sole of his sandal… in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord.
Parents have been known to sacrifice everything for their children. Strangers have donated organs or blood for the health of another individual. First responders have braved dangerous conditions to save one life. Why?
Commitment.
A parent sacrifices out of a loving commitment to their son or daughter. Donors demonstrate a commitment to loving and helping others. First responders commit to a perilous job, often following the example of another whose actions saved someone from peril.
Total commitment. No turning back. No second guesses. Not letting fear win.
Throughout the gospels and the book of Acts, we see Christ followers demonstrate their total commitment: financially (Ac. 4:34-37), occupationally (Mt. 4:20), and relationally (Lk. 14:25; Mt. 25:35-40). Disciples are called to be committed followers, always and in all ways.
What does that level of commitment look like throughout the Scriptures? How do we see this kind of commitment to Christ in our lives today?
This year, we will explore biblical examples and stories from our lives that demonstrate being “Committed to Christ, 24/7 in 2024.” Since February is our Prayer Month, we will focus on being “Committed in Prayer.” Other months will include topics like, “Committed to Trust and Obey,” “A Committed Heart,” and “Committed to One Another in Christ.”
Tuesdays will reflect a biblically foundational point or story. Thursdays will parallel that week’s scriptural emphasis, as highlighted through a modern-day story.
And since we are not only committed to Christ but also to His teachings, there will be specific Bible verses included with each post. This month, we will explore Philippians 3:7-11, our theme verses, in greater depth.
We would love to hear from you as we develop this theme! What does it mean to you to be Committed to Christ, 24/7 in 2024? Share a video, tag us in a post, or email us with your responses! Let’s celebrate our common commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
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Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Executive Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries
“Teaching and Learning through Relationships” was our 2023 theme. Thank you to the many writers whose voices expounded upon this through Scripture and those who shared their own stories of the practice lived out.
Relationships, whether in a formal or informal context, foster an environment for teaching, learning, modeling, and mentoring. Over time, those relationships deepen. Yet no relationship will deepen without a commitment to that relationship.
Luis and Faby Gómez and I, along with a few other Venezuelans who served briefly, collaborated to establish a new congregation in East Caracas. Early on, we compared the birthing of a new church to the birthing of a child. And when you are part of that process together, you are family for life!
We were there together in the highest highs and the lowest lows. As a new congregation, we prayed together, broke bread together, shared meals, spent time in the Word, and fellowshipped. As a team, we trudged through the challenging trenches of persecution, threats from neighbors, and the stumbles of baby Christians learning to walk in Christ. We taught, learned, and grew. We made mistakes and we forgave.
At a couple of points of deep despair and persecution, I remember reflecting on whether to continue. Prayerfully, we each made an individual and group commitment to God and to one another. We were going to persevere, stay the course, and trust God through the trials.
More than twenty years later, I reflect on those early years and the ongoing depth of family relationship I have with my friends Luis and Faby, as well as their boys, Daniel and Andrés. Having moved to Venezuela full-time when Daniel was only seven months old, I was delighted when his first word was, “Chel” (his “aunt name” for me).
Thankfully, we have been able to maintain a strong commitment to our familial relationships. They consider my parents their North American parents. People have often asked if I am Luis’ sister since I know so many of his stories as a boy and his family members. I visited Faby’s family more than once over the holidays and have even stayed with her brother and sister-in-law now living in Uruguay.
This depth of relationship and intimate knowledge of one another does not happen overnight. It requires commitment, sacrifice, and vulnerability.
Up until the pandemic halted my travel, I was able to see and continue Kingdom work alongside the Gómez family face-to-face, for at least a week, 16 years in a row. Lord willing, I will be with them again for a visit in August 2024.
I am eternally grateful to God for Luis and Faby, Daniel and Andrés, and for dozens of deep friendships as co-laborers in the Kingdom (Php. 1:5-6)! A history and pattern of transparency was established and furthered as Christian brothers and sisters. Many have not been easy, but with God at the center, they have been possible… because of our mutual commitment.
Commitment to God and commitment to one another are required for deepening relationships.
As we transition from an emphasis on “Teaching and Learning through Relationships,” I encourage you to keep those lessons in mind. “Commitment to Christ, 24/7 in 2024” cannot happen without relationships.
The greatest depth of relationship illustrated was between Father and Son when Jesus Christ became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn. 1:1, 14).
I challenge you today to renew your commitment to teaching and learning through our most vital relationship as followers of Christ. Through that commitment, depth will follow. Time, communication, and shared experiences will enrich a deep relationship with the Giver of Life. It is in Him that we can “live and move and have our being” (Ac. 17:28 NIV).