If you are like me and many others, you don't like the word 'must'. Nonetheless, it is a word we see, hear and use every day. Aren't we all familiar with "you must enter your password to access the contents", "you must restart your computer to finish the installations" "you must stop at every stop sign before you proceed" and so on? Well, what we may not all be familiar with is "you must sign the deal to enjoy the FULL benefits of the blessing of God".
We live at a time when many of us shy away from making commitments. Whether it is commitment to marry, keep a job, build a relationship or the commitment to quit a bad habit, some of us find it difficult to take a stand. “I would love to but I just can’t make a commitment right now”, we would say. Or “I’ll try but can’t promise" or "give me some time to think about it". Usually, we say such things because we want to be free to change our minds whenever we want without losing 'anything'. However, we must remind ourselves that we cannot achieve 'anything' significant without making 'any' significant commitment. While we may be able to live without a commitment on little things, we cannot afford to overlook commitment on such big matters as living under the blessing or living under the curse. To enjoy the full benefits of God’s blessings we must sign a deal with God by accepting the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
The bible says “Can two walk together without agreement?” (Amos 3:3). The answer is no. You cannot serve two masters successfully. If you try you will displease both of them and lose out in the end. It’s either we are on God’s side or we are not. Anyone serious about enjoying the blessings of God must make up their mind to begin a father-child relationship with God and live by the terms of the blessing covenant that was handed to believers through Jesus Christ (Gal 3:13-14,29). We must make a choice. Think about this:
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. Deuteronomy 30:15-19
Why did God have to tie the blessing to a covenant; you may ask. I believe it's because God wants to secure our commitment to live by the terms and avoid anything that would jeopardise the blessing like Adam did in the Garden. Without a contract or commitment, people tend to abuse privileges, run wild and often do great harm to themselves and others in the process.
Asking for a commitment to access the benefits of the blessing covenant is not a weird demand. Everyday life is designed to run on access codes. For example: You cannot get a loan from a bank without signing the loan contract, you cannot get a lawyer to represent you in the courts of law without signing a legal contract with him and you cannot get a driver’s licence without a signature. There are things we must do to experience other things and that includes signing the relationship deal with God to enjoy the full blessings of God.
Are you still sitting on the fence in matters of commitment to God? Today is a good opportunity for you to make up your mind who to follow, God or Satan. It cannot be both. Are you one of those blaming God for the evil in the world and the unfortunate circumstances in their lives? Take a second look. God is a good God and wants you blessed. All you have to do is sign the blessing deal which is simple: Make up your mind and say yes to God and it's done. (Romans 10:8-10)
If fear of failure is your excuse, don't worry no one is perfect. God will give you grace so you won't have to do it all alone. Growth is a process and it happens by falling and rising. Weaknesses will remain weaknesses unless we make a commitment to overcome them. What's more, God’s grace is made perfect in our weakness. God is not looking for perfect people but honest people. David was not perfect. He committed adultery and murder (2 Sam 11). Yet God blessed David and said “I have found my servant David and with my holy oil have I anointed him” With whom my hand shall be established. Also my arm shall strengthen him. Psalm 89:20-21
Yes God’s blessing is available to ‘whoever’ but only those who append a HEART-SIGNATURE to the Blessing Covenant, will enjoy the full benefits. The blessing covenant requires a cooperation between humanity and divinity to operate. Make up your mind. Sign the deal! Accept the love of Christ and live by his Word everyday! If you do, you will become a better you.
