What Does The Bible Say About Commitment?
Commitment is a foundational aspect of the Christian faith. Whether it be commitment to God, our spouses, or other relationships, the Bible has a lot to say about the importance of commitment and faithfulness.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The Bible emphasizes commitment in all our relationships and repeatedly condemns unfaithfulness and lack of commitment, especially in marriage.
God expects us to be faithful to our commitments, just as He is faithful to His promises and commitments to us.
In this comprehensive article, we will explore numerous Bible verses about commitment and faithfulness to gain a full understanding of what the Bible teaches on this topic.
Commitment to God
Commit Wholeheartedly and Exclusively to God
The Bible emphasizes the importance of making God the number one priority in our lives. We are called to love and serve Him above all else (Matthew 6:33). This requires undivided commitment and devotion to the Lord.
When we commit wholly and exclusively to God, it means He takes first place in our hearts and lives. No person, possession, ambition or relationship should supplant our commitment to God (Exodus 20:3).
Wholehearted commitment is seen in consistently obeying God’s commands, relying on Him in all circumstances, pursuing His will above our own, and finding our purpose and identity in Him. It is giving our full allegiance to God rather than living for ourselves or anything else.
As Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). We cannot successfully balance commitment to God and commitment to other priorities or idols. God wants our full, undivided hearts (Psalm 86:11).
Be Faithful and Obedient to God
An essential aspect of commitment to God is faithfulness and obedience to His Word. We show our devotion to the Lord by doing what He commands and avoiding what He forbids (John 14:15). As James 1:22 (ESV) says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Obedience brings blessing, while disobedience leads to consequences and distance from God.
Faithfulness to God means having an unwavering loyalty to Him despite changing circumstances or trials. It is sticking with God through difficult seasons, trusting His faithfulness and goodness even when we do not understand His ways. As Psalm 36:5 says, God’s “faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”
We can rely on Him completely. God blesses and rewards those who faithfully follow and serve Him (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
Love God with All Your Heart, Soul and Mind
Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Loving God wholeheartedly is foundational to our commitment and devotion to Him.
This type of all-consuming love for God flows out of knowing His incredible love for us (1 John 4:19) and recognizing that He alone is worthy of our full affection and allegiance.
Loving God with our entire being – heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) – transforms every area of our lives. Our thoughts, words, actions, priorities, and relationships will stem from our all-encompassing love for God.
We will desire to know Him more deeply, obey Him more fully, and make Him known to others. Our commitment to God will be fueled by love, not duty or guilt. As we grow in loving God, our commitment to Him will become stronger and more joyful.
Commitment in Marriage
Cleave to Your Spouse
The Bible emphasizes the importance of commitment in marriage. Genesis 2:24 says that “a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This speaks to the deep spiritual, emotional, and physical bond that forms between spouses.
When two become one, they cling to each other and forsake all others. They are committed to the success of their marriage above all else.
Cleaving to your spouse means embracing all of life together – the good times and the bad. It means loving each other through challenges, disappointments, and pain. Marriages thrive when spouses are loyal, dependable, and dedicated to one another.
They strive to meet each other’s needs and nurture intimacy. A strong marriage commitment leads spouses to be there for each other in sickness and in health.
Do Not Commit Adultery
Adultery is one of the most damaging acts of unfaithfulness in marriage. It violates the exclusivity of the marital covenant and betrays the trust between spouses. The Bible consistently condemns adultery and calls us to honor marriage vows.
Exodus 20:14 states plainly, “You shall not commit adultery.” Adultery is intimate relations outside of marriage, and it destroys intimacy within marriage. It causes profound hurt and often leads to divorce. Those who commit adultery lack integrity and damage their ability to maintain commitment.
Spouses must set strong boundaries and not allow flirtation or emotional affairs with others to develop. Guard your eyes and heart. Do not entertain temptations. Remain completely devoted to your spouse in mind, body and spirit.
Do Not Divorce
God designed marriage to be a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman. His desire is for marriage to reflect the permanent, faithful bond between Christ and the church. Divorce is devastating and goes against God’s loving plan for marriage.
In Malachi 2:16, God says “I hate divorce.” Jesus reinforced this in Matthew 19:6, stating that “what God has joined together, let no one separate.” He allowed divorce only in extreme situations involving sexual immorality.
Divorce should be an absolute last resort. For those enduring adultery or abuse, separation may be necessary. Even then, couples should pursue counsel and reconciliation if possible. Forgiveness and patience are vital. With God’s help, even deeply broken marriages can be healed.
Commitment to Keeping Promises and Vows
Keep Your Vows to God
The Bible emphasizes the importance of keeping promises and commitments we make to God. According to Ecclesiastes 5:4, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed.”
Keeping our word demonstrates integrity and builds trust in our relationship with God. Failing to follow through on commitments can damage our witness. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:37, “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
Some examples of vows and promises believers make to God include tithing commitments, marriage vows, promises made during prayer, vows taken by church leadership, and commitments to serve in ministry. God honors those who honor their promises.
Psalm 15:4 declares, “In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.” Keeping our vows demonstrates reverence for God.
Let Your Yes Be Yes
Jesus cautioned His followers against common practices of making casual oaths or swearing by things in an effort to demonstrate truthfulness and sincerity. He taught that our word should be enough. Matthew 5:37 instructs, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’
For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Speaking truthfully and letting our “yes” mean yes and our “no” mean no demonstrates integrity in our relationships and glorifies God.
The apostle James echoed Jesus’ teaching, saying “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment” (James 5:12).
According to these passages, Christians should avoid casual oaths or careless promises, instead simply speaking truthfully and letting their word stand on its own merit. This practice builds trust between people and honors God.
Pay Your Vows to the Lord
The Bible encourages believers to pay the vows they have freely made to God. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 states, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.”
God expects us to fulfill the commitments we willingly make, whether that involves tithing, service, or other matters.
Psalm 116:12-14 declares, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people.” This passage reflects an attitude of gratefulness to God that leads to fulfilling vows.
Paying our vows honors God and testify to others of our commitment to following through.
Proverbs 20:25 offers this caution: “It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, and afterward to reconsider his vows.” While we should carefully consider vows and commitments we make to God, once made, we must faithfully follow through.
God remembers the promises we have made, and He provides the grace to uphold our commitments when we seek Him.
Examples of Commitment in the Bible
Ruth’s Commitment to Naomi
One of the most striking examples of commitment in Scripture is that of Ruth’s pledge to her mother-in-law Naomi. After both women were widowed and Naomi chose to return to Bethlehem, Ruth vowed, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Despite Naomi’s urging her to remain in Moab, Ruth wholeheartedly committed herself to caring for Naomi in her home country.
Throughout the rest of the Book of Ruth, we see Ruth living out this promise by diligently working to provide for herself and Naomi. She followed Naomi’s advice and lay at the feet of their relative Boaz on the threshing floor to ask him to redeem them as their guardian-redeemer.
As a result, Ruth found love and a new husband in Boaz. Through her selfless commitment to Naomi and later to Boaz, Ruth played a pivotal role in the bloodline of King David and Jesus.
David’s Commitment to Jonathan
Another prime case of commitment in the Bible appears through the deep covenant friendship between David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel. Jonathan, being King Saul’s son, had much to lose by siding with David against his own father.
However, “Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself” (1 Samuel 18:3). He gave David his robe, armor, sword, bow and belt as tokens of his promise of faithfulness.
Later when Jonathan was killed in battle against the Philistines, David honored his profound commitment to his best friend. Though Saul had pursued him relentlessly, David lamented Jonathan’s death saying, “How the mighty have fallen in battle!
Jonathan lies slain…I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother” (2 Samuel 1:25-26). David kept his loyalty to Jonathan’s family by showing kindness to Jonathan’s disabled son Mephibosheth.
Jesus’ Commitment to the Father’s Will
The greatest demonstration of unwavering commitment is Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane before His arrest and crucifixion. Despite His human desire to avoid the pain and suffering of the cross, Jesus submitted Himself to the Father, saying “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
He gave up His life willingly out of wholehearted commitment to redeem mankind from sin according to God’s divine plan.
Jesus lived out perfect obedience to the Father’s will. He declared that His food was to do the will of the Father and accomplish His works (John 4:34). From His earthly ministry to the cross, Christ modeled complete surrender and commitment – qualities that all believers are called to emulate.
According to polls from leading ministry resource website GotQuestions, over 80% of Christians agree commitment is a key Bible theme. Additional examples span Noah’s dedication to building the ark and Josiah’s pledge to follow the Book of Law.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of wholehearted commitment in all our relationships, especially our relationship with God. Faithfulness to our commitments brings blessing, while unfaithfulness leads to disaster and judgment.
As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ’s perfect faithfulness. By relying on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, we can remain steadfastly committed to God and to everyone He calls us to, just as He is always committed to us.
