Sharing a Commitment
Scripture Reading — Genesis 17:1-10
“You must keep my covenant, you and your descendents after you …”
Genesis 17:9
God called Abraham into a special relationship. Imagine God coming and declaring, “I will be your God. I will give you this land and make you into a great people, and I will be their God.” God’s promise moved from a call to one person to include a covenant community, a people sharing a common commitment.
Healthy families and healthy communities enjoy the unifying bond of sharing a common origin. They also share a destiny. It’s not just about individuals and what’s good for the few. It’s about what’s needed to accomplish their common purpose for existence. Churches as communities are most effective in reaching the lost and teaching the ways of God to a wandering world when they have a common commitment.
Meaningful relationships function best when they share a common religious goal or commitment. A preacher once emphasized this by explaining that people who meet in Chicago cannot travel both to Los Angeles and Miami at the same time together. A shared community is on a journey together.
Abraham’s covenant community shared the blood-shedding sign of circumcision. Today God’s covenant community shares the blood-sealed sign of Christ’s sacrificial love. Christ’s love is what holds us together. It’s a love nobody should be without.
Gracious, covenant-making God, thank you for your call to Abraham and his family. Help us to work with the common commitment of honoring you. In Christ’s name, Amen.
About the author — George Vink
Pastor George Vink has served as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for more than 30 years in British Columbia, Montana, Michigan, and California. He and his wife, Shirley, have four married sons and nine grandchildren.
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