Helen and I are committed to each other, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. And I'm so glad she stayed with me through it all. For indeed, some of it has been for worse, for poorer, in sickness. And yes, I stayed with Helen all through these years, too, 57 years, and happily, with no end in sight.
We were committed to each other, but the wedding ceremony made it official and made it really real to us.
As believers, we are committed to Jesus Christ, and He is to us. There is a ceremony that makes it official: baptism. Just today I heard yet again the price some people pay by getting baptized and making it official. That price is death in some cultures.
In the Bible, in the book of Acts, when people were converted (became believers) they quickly wanted to be, and were, baptized.
When we baptized people long ago we used to sing, 'I have decided to follow Jesus, (repeat), (repeat again), no turning back, no turning back.
You know I'm sure, that commitment works both ways. The believer is committed to the LORD, but think about this, the LORD is committed to the believer, which includes right now! In fact, His commitment to us makes our commitment to another person possible.
Let me tell you what a wonderful thing commitment is for the long haul. Those of you that are married know.
Larry Carroll
