A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original review appears below. Jack Charleson is an elder and Chairman of Evangelism, Bridlewood Presbyterian Church, Agincourt, Ontario, a bank manager, and Chairman, Steering Committee, Mission Ontario.
The Power of Commitment. Jerry White, Navpress, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
We live in a society where there are repeated demands on our time, talents and financial resources. As Christians, we are faced with a barrage of requests to become involved in this “work” or that, tending to stretch our talents to the limits. As a result we are faced frequently with the dilemma of just how the Lord would have us, and our finances, be used best in his service. All this requires that we develop a level of “commitment” in order to be responsible in serving, not only those seeking our involvement, but more importantly, the Lord who is directing our lives.
The Power of Commitment has been added to The Christian Character Library which aims to help Christians live out the biblical mandate to become “salt” and “light” in the world through witness of a Christlike character. Jerry White has been involved with the Navigators for many years and his experience in this field, as well as his technical knowledge gained in work at Cape Canaveral, is demonstrated in his writing.
The book seeks to provide the reader with sound biblical directives for developing lasting commitments in our spiritual life, personal discipline and also our relationships and lifestyle. In the section on the Basics of Commitment, the author seeks to give direction relative to the uncommitted society. He indicates that many people make strong commitments to the wrong things and in doing so leave no room for “more significant commitments to God.” When we make a truly biblical commitment to God this involves a two-way concept — we commit and God performs in response to the commitment. How often do we look for God to meet our “needs” without being prepared to submit to his will for our lives? “His faithfulness is not dependent on our acts of commitment, but we activate his response by our commitment.” True biblical commitment expresses itself much like a contract between God and man and it is important we seek to fulfill our part.
Areas where we all require encouragement covered in this stimulating book are Commitment and Lordship. Commitment in Your Personal Life, Commitment in Your Relationships, and The Practice of Commitment.
While many of us would reflect on the level of commitment we have to various aspects of our lives and feel quite satisfied, as we read through this book we may be left somewhat uncomfortable. It is all too easy for us to accept the fact we feel we are doing well, but in our level of commitment, how often do we let the Lord down? Having read The Power of Commitment more than once, it impresses me with the need to truly re-assess just where one stands. Do we seriously follow the commitment we have made to the Lord in every aspect of our lives — or are we simply paying “lip service?”
Jerry White, in the conclusion to his book, reminds us, “Reading this book may have taught you about commitment — but nothing happens without a step of decision. All the knowledge you have will never change your life unless it is accompanied by decisions of commitment.”
If we feel we are battling the forces of Satan in this world, we require to be reminded of the need to constantly review our commitments to the world and to strengthen our commitment to the Lord. A book like The Power of Commitment is an excellent tool to assist us in this regard.