8210 commitment, to God’s people

Commitment to God means a commitment to his people. Believers are meant to be nourished and supported by the church, and to work towards its edification.

Commitment to the church

Ac 2:42; Eph 4:3-4; Col 3:15 Paul uses the picture of the body to describe the interdependence of believers: Ro 12:4-10; 1Co 12:12-27

Commitment to other Christians is an expression of love made known in Christ

Jn 13:34-35; Col 3:13-14; 1Pe 1:22 See also Jn 15:12,17; Ro 12:10,16; Ro 13:8; Gal 5:13; Eph 4:32-5:2; 1Th 3:12; 1Th 4:9; 2Th 1:3; Heb 13:1; 1Pe 2:17; 1Jn 3:11,23; 1Jn 4:7,21; 1Jn 5:2

Such commitment is expressed in mutual responsibility and concern

Gal 6:2; Heb 10:24-25; 1Pe 3:8 See also Ro 14:13; Ro 15:7,14; 1Co 1:10 Paul’s concern for unity among believers; Eph 5:21; Col 3:13 the responsibility of believers to forgive one another; Col 3:16; 1Ti 5:11; Heb 3:13; Jas 4:11; 1Pe 4:9; 1Pe 5:5

For its leaders, commitment to the church may prove a joy and a burden

Ac 20:28 Paul speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus; 2Co 11:28 See also Col 1:24; 1Th 2:8; 1Th 5:12-13; 1Ti 3:1; Heb 13:17; 1Pe 5:1-3

See also