Commitment: A Cause of Love

Intro

These days, almost everyone is paying for a subscription to something. It could be for entertainment, groceries brought to your front door, or even an unlimited amount of carwashes at The Shine Center here in Marshall, by the way. It's easy to start a subscription and it’s easy to end one too. There are no fees to pay if you decide to cancel, plus most companies will even give you a Free Trial. And, sometimes we even forget to cancel our Free Trials. It’s quick, it’s convenient and the best part is that there are no long term commitments.

That’s perfect, if we’re talking about how we spend our money. But, can you imagine what it would look like if we would apply the same “Convenience Model” to our RELATIONSHIPS. And relationships is what I want to talk to you about today. Can you imagine what it would look like if we would apply the same “Convenience Model” to our RELATIONSHIPS.

Some of you are probably thinking, umm.. Pastor Dave it’s already happening all around us. And I would agree. Many of us are stuck in an overcommitment Epidemic where we commit to accomplish more than we can actually handle. And on the other side of the spectrum; others simply express a lack of commitment to avoid losing independence, personal freedom, to avoid feeling trapped.

But listen to this. Whatever may be the root cause of broken commitment, let me help you shed a little bit of light on the situation here:

Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling

Commitment is measured by these 3 things:

Duration - refers to how long a person is willing to give unreserved love and support to another.

Priority - This is the extent to which the relationship takes precedence over other matters.

Intensity - This refers to the strength of feeling and depth of concern for the partner.

True commitment operates at a level beyond verbal declaration.

And for relationships grounded in faith, commitment operates at an even deeper level. The binding force that sustains marriages comes from daily reliance on God, knowledge of His word, reverence, and obedience to His word. It’s our spiritual foundation that provides resilience and not just emotional attachment.

The Bible speaks very strongly about commitment—especially in relationships, marriage, faith, and character. The bible presents commitment as a covenant. It’s faithfulness, it’s enduring, it’s the unbreakable bond that holds our marriages together.

1. Commitment a Covenant

It’s More Than a Feeling

In the Bible, commitment is rooted in covenant—a binding promise before God.

24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Gen. 2:24. American Standard Version

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Gen 2:24. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version

Marriage is described here as a permanent union. There’s no escape hatch or Reset button to push.

It’s more than a contract, It’s a covenant. It’s a lifelong commitment designed to mirror God’s unbreakable love for His people. We live in a world that often treats relationships as disposable, undervalued, and sometimes - meaningless. Marriage means I promise to stand by your side till the end, to grow, to forgive, and persevere together.”

Culture: Temporary, not Permanent. Culture often treats marriage as something that can be ended when it no longer feels convenient or fulfilling — more like a contract than a covenant.

One of the most memorable moments of our wedding was when Pastor Francisco Medina our officiator, finally said to both of us

“To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

I remember opening my eyes wide open and thinking to myself , this is Forever and ever. It’s Ambar and I till the end.

It’s way more than a simple contract. Its commitment rooted in covenant.

“Culture says marriage is simply about happiness; God says it’s about holiness. It’s more than just happiness.

Holiness is knowing who we belong to. I want you to understand that “Holiness isn’t about perfection — it’s about belonging. It means we’ve been set apart for Him, marked by His Spirit and created for His purpose.”

We are two imperfect people choosing daily to love, forgive, and grow together under God’s grace. Yes, we face challenges and adversity, sometimes we don't agree or even speak to each other for hours, but we have come to understand that the strength of our marriage isn’t found in avoiding challenges, but in facing them hand-in-hand, anchored by the One who joined us together.” Yes God is the bond that joins us together.

6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” - The Holy Bible: English Standard Version Mt 19:6.

Culture says love is a feeling; God says love is a covenant.”

The idea of “till death do us part” has largely been replaced by “till feelings fade.” That’s not what's written. It’s not “to love and to cherish till feelings fade” No, that's a marriage on a shaky foundation.

It’s more than a feeling commitment is rooted in covenant—a binding promise before God.

6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” - The Holy Bible: English Standard Version Mt 19:6.

2. Commitment Reflects God’s Character

God models commitment Himself.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version , La 3:22–23.

Our God is a Faithful God, He’s a Good God, and He’s also a just God 🙌🏻

Jeremiah was a prophet for Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, but Lamentations was written for all Jewish exiles at the time...of course the reason for exile ..was SIN...and SIN is the only thing that can separate us from God. In chapter 1, we see the affliction of Jerusalem. In chapter 2, We see God’s anger with Jerusalem. And here in chapter 3 the prophet Jeremiah declares hope.

“God is still faithful and forgiving, giving us chance after chance, moment after moment, day after day. His grace never runs out; it meets us right where we are and carries us forward when we don’t deserve it.”

Each dawning day gives mankind hope in fresh mercies and compassions from God. We need a constant supply, and God has promised to send them without fail. No matter how bad the past day was, God’s people can look to the new morning with faith and hope.

Every morning ends the night.

Every morning brings a new day.

Every morning brings new provision for the day.

Faithfulness is the very essence of God’s character. It is woven into every part of the bible

God’s Faithfulness Begins in Creation (Genesis 1–2)

From the start, God shows His faithfulness by creating a world that is good, ordered, and life-giving. He provides everything humanity needs — fellowship with Him, purpose, and provision.

And in Revelation John has a vision of a white horse whose rider is called “Faithful and True.”

From beginning to end, from cover to cover God models commitment through faithfulness.

9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version Dt 7:9.

God’s unwavering commitment throughout Scripture thus becomes both the foundation and the pattern for human faithfulness. Our commitment to each other in marriage can only be supported by God’s model of faithfulness to us.

“A marriage rooted in God’s character reflects His faithfulness through love, commitment, grace, forgiveness, trust and integrity . It’s a union that stands firm through every challenge because it draws strength from the One who never fails.”

Your reflection of God’s own character starts now. Do you want to hear the story about Mirror?

Everyday when you get up in the morning you look at yourself in the mirror, you brush your teeth and you begin to fix your hair. For the girls maybe you put on a little bit of make-up and you start plugging in all kinds of machines to style your hair (hair dryers, curling irons, round brushes, straighteners, hot air brushes, 😅 the list goes on and on. Once you’re done you take one good look at the mirror and you think to yourself, yup I’m the prettiest girl around. For the boys maybe it’s a little bit of gel a few sprays of your favorite cologne and then we take one good look at the mirror and we think to ourselves, yup I’m the handsomest guy around. But listen to this here's my point; what we really see in the mirror is not ourselves but a reflection of ourselves.

Here’s how William Hines describes it in his book, Leaving Yesterday Behind, “man was created, not to be God, but to reflect the image of God. All of us, like mirrors, should reflect who God is in who we are, and what we do.”

We were made to reflect the character of God. It’s not necessarily reflecting what God looks like or what He might look like, it’s reflecting, “who God is in who we are, and what we do.”

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, 2 Co 5:20.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, 1 Pe 2:9. We have be chosen for the Glory of God!

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Ro 8:37. We are not just conquerors, we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our savior who has died for you and me to set us free.

Conclusion:

Commitment is not a subscription.

It’s not something we can cancel because it doesn't appeal to us anymore.

Commitment is not a Free Trial.

We don’t get to try out our partner. There is no 30 day trial to see if your partner fits your lifestyle. Marriage isn’t something you sample; it’s something you surrender to. It’s not about finding someone who fits your world, it’s all about building something new together — something new shaped by grace, sacrifice, and faithfulness.”

Commitment has nothing to do with Convenience.

“Convenience walks away when things get difficult, but commitment keeps promises and focuses on faithfulness.

Commitment is a Covenant - it’s more than a feeling

It’s a binding promise before God. It’s a permanent union, and there’s no escape hatch or Reset button to push.

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Gen 2:24. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version

Commitment Reflects God’s own Character - God models commitment himself

From beginning to end, from cover to cover God models commitment through faithfulness.

9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version Dt 7:9.

The next time you see yourself in the mirror instead of saying I’m the cutest or the prettiest one around, try declaring the goodness, the authority, and the power of God over your life. You are were made to reflect the character of God. We reflect “who God is in who we are, and what we do.”

Good marriages make good places for children to grow up, and see the glory of Christ’s covenant in keeping love, commitment, and faithfulness.

A committed marriage is foundational in raising children. They provide stability, emotional security, and a nurturing foundation for their well being.

According to the Institute for Family Studies, “Marriage is linked to positive child outcomes partly because it signals commitment prior to childbirth.”

“There are so many blessings in a committed marriage. There are so many wonderful things we can say about a marriage founded on the Love of God.

I thank God with all my heart that my parents modeled a marriage based on Love, Commitment, and Faithfulness. It’s not too late to change the outcome of your marriage and your family. Trust God and let God be the God of your Marriage. There is a divine purpose in your marriage. Through you, other marriages will be blessed. Through you, others will be able to see and experience the beauty of the glory of God.

Take advantage of your youth and the strength that God has allowed you.

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, Ec 12:1.

Your marriage is priceless and invaluable. Go and reflect the glory of God where ever you go.

Please Stand:

🙏🏼Pray for Marriages

Commitment invites God’s presence into the relationship. It builds security, cultivates character, and creates a legacy that lasts beyond a lifetime.