There are Three Commitment Stages (levels, phases).
Initial Commitment;
Special Commitment;
Continuous Commitment.
"Initial" is exercised when works of saving grace (justification and entire sanctification) are initiated.
"Special" is exercised when new light is encountered (positives and negatives).
"Continuous" is exercised on a day by day, moment by moment basis (living by faith).
COMMITMENT IS FAITH IN ACTION.
Initial
Initial Commitment is transformational because it attends works of grace when they are initiated. Commitment to turn from sin (repentance) is made at the time of salvation. Commitment to abide in the Spirit is made at the time of entire sanctification.
At the time of salvation, commitment is as complete as the sinner knows how to make it. At the time of salvation, the new convert does not realize he has a sinful nature that will cause him internal spiritual struggle (Ro. 7). When he does realize that he still has an “evil heart of unbelief” that will cause him to depart from the living God (He. 3:12), hopefully someone will show him that God can and will deliver him from this sinful nature, which is known Biblically as the double minded (Ja. 1:8, 4:8), carnal mind (Ro. 8:7), old man (Ro. 6:6), flesh (Ro. 8:9) in the same way that God delivered him from the guilt and pollution of sins committed. This deliverance is initiated just as regeneration was initiated, by an act of obedient faith. Obedient faith (commitment) will trust Christ for cleansing from this inherent sin just as it trusted Christ for the forgiveness of personal sins that had been committed.
Special
Special Commitment is made when God brings a believer to a point in his life that requires a commitment to either go in one direction or another in order to do that which is pleasing in God's sight. This can come either as a negative or a positive, by either removing something from one's life, or adding something to one's life, like a habit, a relationship, a behavior. When that new step is taken, it is part of the initial commitment, but it becomes current and practicable after initial commitment.
Continued
Continued Commitment is made every day, every hour, every step of the Christian life. Continued Commitment is the daily walk, it is living by faith. This is not the encounter of new light or understanding, it is the daily commitment to live up to all other commitments made to God in the past. Some of the words used in the Scriptures that are applicable to this concept are ABIDE, CONTINUE, HOLD FAST, REMAIN.
Continued Commitment is exercise of obedient faith during every moment of our life in Christ. We are not saved by yesterday's faith, we are saved by living, active, working faith today. Broken faith, breaks our abiding in Christ, our continuing in the faith, our holding fast to salvation, our remaining in the Lord.
Here are some verses that address the subject of continuing, obedient, saving faith.
John 8:31-32
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 15:9
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Acts 11:23
COMMITMENT IS FAITH IN ACTION.
Initial
Initial Commitment is transformational because it attends works of grace when they are initiated. Commitment to turn from sin (repentance) is made at the time of salvation. Commitment to abide in the Spirit is made at the time of entire sanctification.
At the time of salvation, commitment is as complete as the sinner knows how to make it. At the time of salvation, the new convert does not realize he has a sinful nature that will cause him internal spiritual struggle (Ro. 7). When he does realize that he still has an “evil heart of unbelief” that will cause him to depart from the living God (He. 3:12), hopefully someone will show him that God can and will deliver him from this sinful nature, which is known Biblically as the double minded (Ja. 1:8, 4:8), carnal mind (Ro. 8:7), old man (Ro. 6:6), flesh (Ro. 8:9) in the same way that God delivered him from the guilt and pollution of sins committed. This deliverance is initiated just as regeneration was initiated, by an act of obedient faith. Obedient faith (commitment) will trust Christ for cleansing from this inherent sin just as it trusted Christ for the forgiveness of personal sins that had been committed.
Special
Special Commitment is made when God brings a believer to a point in his life that requires a commitment to either go in one direction or another in order to do that which is pleasing in God's sight. This can come either as a negative or a positive, by either removing something from one's life, or adding something to one's life, like a habit, a relationship, a behavior. When that new step is taken, it is part of the initial commitment, but it becomes current and practicable after initial commitment.
Continued
Continued Commitment is made every day, every hour, every step of the Christian life. Continued Commitment is the daily walk, it is living by faith. This is not the encounter of new light or understanding, it is the daily commitment to live up to all other commitments made to God in the past. Some of the words used in the Scriptures that are applicable to this concept are ABIDE, CONTINUE, HOLD FAST, REMAIN.
Continued Commitment is exercise of obedient faith during every moment of our life in Christ. We are not saved by yesterday's faith, we are saved by living, active, working faith today. Broken faith, breaks our abiding in Christ, our continuing in the faith, our holding fast to salvation, our remaining in the Lord.
Here are some verses that address the subject of continuing, obedient, saving faith.
John 8:31-32
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 15:9
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Acts 11:23
23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Acts 13:43
43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 14:22
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 13:43
43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 14:22
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Romans 11:22
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Colossians 1:21-23
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
1 Timothy 4:15-16
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
2 Timothy 3:14
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
1 John 2:24
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Colossians 1:21-23
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
1 Timothy 4:15-16
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
2 Timothy 3:14
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
1 John 2:24
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
Life in Christ begins with Initial Commitment, gains ground on Special Commitment and reaches heaven on Continued Commitment.
