There have never been more people on the earth than there are right now. Some nations number into the billions. Even as I write this letter, thousands of people are born, and thousands die. This is a fact of life. Even with this amount of people, it amazes me to think that each of us has been placed on this earth for a reason. What God does, He does on purpose. That means that you are not an accident; you are here for a purpose. You are unique. No one can take your exact place. Others can do your job, but no one can walk in your footsteps. You are of utmost value. In fact, you are so valuable that Almighty God gave His only begotten Son to die in your place. When we look at this incredible sacrifice, it should become apparent that we are important and needed. Our lives matter.

What God Does, He Does on Purpose

God is always trying to help us reach our purpose. The enemy will always try to stop our purpose. God lifts us up; the enemy tries to put us down. God forgives us; the enemy tries to condemn us. God gives us resources; the enemy tries to steal from us. The battle goes on and on because of our potential, purpose and intended destiny. If we become convinced that we don't matter, then our purpose in life will not be fulfilled.

The members of the church are referred to as the "Body of Christ". Every member has a purpose to fulfill. I say this every now and then: "If all of us were the same, some of us might not be needed." What I mean is that every one of us has a special place in this life.

First Corinthians 12:12-18 says: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. We can see through this that every one of us has a purpose that needs to be accomplished.

This brings me to the title of this letter: Connected - Involved Committed. There are some people who seem to think they don't need anyone else in life. Have you ever heard the term "He's a Self-Made Man" or "She is a Self-Made Woman"? Sure you have. However, nothing is farther from the truth. No one can fulfill their purpose without someone else becoming Connected, Involved or Committed in their lives.

This holds true especially in the Church. John 15:5 says, I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. As a believer, the first thing we must get settled is this foundation. We cannot and will not fulfill our purpose in and of ourselves without God. Secondly, we cannot fulfill our purpose without the people God has placed in our lives - not just Connected people or Involved people but, most vitally, Committed people.

CONNECTED PEOPLE

We hear a lot today about staying connected, especially with the internet and "Global Access". Worldwide news is almost instantaneous and e-mail is fast and easy. There is more to you fulfilling your purpose in life than just being connected. First, let me address the term I call "Connected".

In the dictionary, one meaning of the word "connect" means to "associate in one's mind". I have been amazed at how many times people would call me out of the blue to just touch base or get the latest information about our church or ministry. Sometimes, I wouldn't hear from them for months and years. They would act like they had just seen me yesterday and were a part of my life. Some people would still say I was their pastor even when it had been years since we had been together. Amazing! They rarely supported the ministry, prayed or even helped. Yet they expected the ministry to just "somehow" keep going strong. They seem to just want an update or the latest information.

In reality, they were just associated in their mind -- connected. They rarely helped or supported the church or ministry in any way - spiritually, physically or financially. Then when something changed, they would be surprised or even offended. This is because they were simply associated in their mind, not involved or committed.

Imagine if you told your wife and loved ones, "Im just associated with you in my mind." Are you kidding? My wife would do some quick adjustment to me in a hurry. But many times, that is all we are to some people - "Mentally Connected". Just being connected will not fulfill your purpose in the Body of Christ.

INVOLVED PEOPLE

Then there are those I call "Involved" people. The church is mostly made up of these people. They are at a different level than just being mentally connected in that they're actually with you in person. Involved people will stay with something, and even be a support as long as everything is provided for them. They will come to worship if it's convenient and not too far away. They'll stay as long as they're glad and not mad. Their loyalty can fluctuate with emotional feelings and the opinions of others, instead of seeking God's direction first. Isn't it interesting when describing two people in infidelity that we say they are "involved" in an affair? I never hear anyone ask, "Are they committed to the affair?" The deception is that they are involved but think they are committed. We don't think of marriage as an involvement, we think of marriage as a commitment. Why? Because we know that anything that is in the "involved" area only will not and cannot last.

I never hear anyone ask "Are they committed to the affair?"

People who live in the "Involved" level are more likely to quit when they don't like something or "feel" uncomfortable. People who are just "involved" usually have a problem with change and usually live in the past. People who just remain "involved" are in danger of fooling themselves. Staying too long in the "involved" level will not fulfill your purpose in the Body of Christ. It is only when we make a choice to live at the "committed" level that real, lasting fruit is produced. PLEASE dont take what Im saying as an attack on anyone personally. God loves everyone no matter whether they are connected, involved or committed. This article is simply meant to be a wake-up call for you to become all God has destined for you to become.

COMMITTED PEOPLE

No ministry can survive and accomplish its purpose on just Connected and Involved people. God intends for the Body of Christ to become truly Committed. Jesus was looking for, and needed Committed followers. Jesus is still looking for Committed people today. These men and women did not just get up one day and instantly become Committed. Even after they became Connected and Involved, it took a quality decision to become totally Committed.

The disciples eventually gave their literal lives for the cause of Christ. A committed person gives their total life to Christ (Deut. 6:5). Their past, present and future is placed in His will and trust. They march to the sound of a different drum than the status quo does. Committed people are people of conviction and purpose. Committed people press for the prize of the high calling in Christ (Phil. 3:13-14). Committed people love, give and pray whenever called upon, and do it as unto the Lord (Col. 3:23). Committed people serve only one master (Matt. 6:24) - the Lord Jesus Christ. Committed people can be counted on at all times, and trusted as if their very life depended on it. Committed people are committed to helping people. Committed people become partners and lifelong friends. Committed people make lasting marriages and families. Committed people fulfill their purposes and destinies.

"The Chicken Was Involved, But the Pig Was Committed."

There is an old saying called "Ham and Eggs" and it goes like this, "The Chicken Was Involved, but The Pig Was Committed." Wow, did you get that? That was a country way of saying "the pig gave his whole life for the purpose he was born for." Committed people know that there is no other way but Gods way. A pastor friend of mine told me one day while talking about fulfilling the ministry call, "God gives us a choice, but really only one." What he meant was that we can make our own choice to do "our thing", but wont fulfill Gods best in our lives until we totally commit to His choice for us. Real commitment says, "All I have and ever hope to be, I give it all to Thee." Real commitment is very serious and should not be taken lightly. We cannot totally commit to God without giving our total trust. I declare unto you that God is "Trust Worthy". Committed people trust God.

Committing to our Creator Ensures our Purpose

Remember the phrase, "In God We Trust"? Our nation was founded on a commitment to God. Psalm 37:5 says, "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." God has blessed us as a nation because of our commitment to Him. When our commitment level falls, all sorts of problems begin to overtake us. We must remain committed to Prayer, Family and Biblical Values for our nation to stay strong. Committed people live in peace. Proverbs 16:3 says,"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."

I ask you today, "Are you Committed?" Are you doing all you can to be a blessing to the work of God and people?

Maybe you have been a committed person, but for some reason you are only connected or barely involved. Maybe you were hurt or some change in your life has altered your commitment level. Maybe you have fallen for the lie that it is too late for you to make a difference. Maybe you have never really thought about, or even heard about, the importance of living a committed life. Now you have. Ask yourself this question concerning your Christian life, "Am I just connected, involved or really committed?"

God has committed everything for you, and is waiting for you to commit everything to Him. You were created for a purpose and need to fulfill that purpose. God needs you, the world needs you, and so do I. This ministry runs on faith and on the giving of people who believe in what we do. When there is a connection, an involvement, but no commitment in your financial support, the ministrys continuity suffers. The strength of what the Lord does through the ministry is made stronger through your committed prayers.

To Truly Affect the World for the Lord...

Commitment is a Must.

But when "partners" are only "connected" by that word "Partner", what is the contribution? How can a partner in name only influence the Lords work through this ministry? Your consistent prayers are coveted to support us spiritually. Your consistent giving enables us to add more meetings onto our itinerary. Doing Gods work requires people who are not just involved - there is no room for quitting. You must go beyond. To truly affect the world for the Lord, to show Gods love to people in diverse places and in various walks in their lives, commitment is a must. God craves committed servants. He can affect so much less in this old world when commitment is lacking.

Just like a marriage, a true commitment to Gods work says that the shared love will prevail and the relationship will grow, and that each person can be depended upon and will be there to support spiritually, physically, and in any way, even unto death -- whether it be in richer circumstances, in poorer circumstances, in trials and through illness, through happiness, through painful events...through whatever happens, and to share in the celebrations of joy in the victories.

In this ministry, we call these committed people "Partners". We are "partners" in covenant with God. This blood covenant cannot be broken. The blood of Jesus has sealed it and a commitment says a conscious choice has been made to stand fast in that covenant and not sway, no matter what. Thats what God desires from us. Ron Roper Ministries is an avenue you can commit to, that you can believe in, that you can partner with to further Gods work. If you believe in what we do, why just be "connected" by an occasional phone call or letter? Why just be "involved" in whats going on? Commit. Take up the challenge and run the good race -- side by side, arms linked, pressing toward the mark...never quitting, upholding each other, sharing the victory in what God would do through us.

Consider today about living at a higher level of commitment. Your life will never be the same.

Ron Roper

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