There is a commitment that must be made if we’re to go beyond the hilarity and the good things that belong to us. There is a commitment that goes with moving on with God.
I like the story of the three Hebrew children in the Book of Daniel. I think sometimes, however, that we miss their point. They told King Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace” (Dan. 3:17).
Some people get upset with the next statement these Hebrew captives made: “But if not, be known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up” (v. 18).
In other words, they are saying, “But if not, we’re not going to recant anyway.”
People will say, “Oh, that’s a statement of unbelief.”
I was praying about it recently, asking the Lord about it, and He said, “Well, I didn’t look at it as unbelief. What I saw in it was their commitment.” They were saying, “I’m going to serve God no matter what.”
The “C” Word
If you’re going to follow God and go beyond just a good time and good things – if you’re going to go into the real battle of soul-winning and setting the world free – it’s going to take commitment. (In fact, it’s going to take commitment even to walk by faith, because the devil is going to find out if you believe what you say you believe.)
Too many people do not realize what commitment means. Paul writes in the third chapter of Philippians,
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth.
(Phil. 3:13)
“Reaching forth” involves effort. That’s spelled W-O-R-K. Are you still interested in going with God? It means work – reaching forth, straining, pushing, striving. For what? For the “high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (v. 14).
| One way or another, you will go over, because you can’t go under for going on to victory. – Ken Hagin, Jr. |
“I press toward the mark.” Paul said. When you’re “pressing” to get something, you’re putting out energy and effort. You’re going to find out very quickly whether you want to put out the effort to be this kind of child of God or not, because the devil is going to fight you. You’re going to find yourself having to make the decision, “Do I run back to my security, or do I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?”
When you make the decision to go all out with God, the devil’s going to scream in your ears. You’re going to hear it when you unlock the office door. You’re going to hear it when you’re in the office.
That’s when you’ll find out if you really believe Jesus or not. That’s when you’ll make up your mind whether you’re going to be a failure or not.
There are two directions you can take. One is to press on with God. The second is to run back to something that you know is secure. But you’ll never be what God wants you to be if you turn and run. On the other hand, if you press toward the mark and begin to confess who you are in Christ Jesus, things will turn out well for you.
The place in which we all want to live with God is having a good time rejoicing and praising. Did you know that you can live in that place even when every wall seems to be falling on top of you?
Yes, the walls may feel like they’re crashing in on top of you. But even if they don’t open up in front of you, the Word of God will become jet propulsioned, and it will propel you over the top! One way or another, you will go over, because you can’t go under for going on to victory.
You see, when you make the decision to go with God, and you take the Word and put it down in your heart and then under your feet, you’re putting it between you and all the works of the devil. Then there isn’t any place for you to go but over!
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications
Kenneth W. Hagin, President of Kenneth Hagin Ministries and pastor of RHEMA Bible Church, ministers around the world. Known for calling the Body of Christ to steadfast faith, he seizes every ministry opportunity to impart an attitude of “I cannot be defeated, and I will not quit.”
Rev. Hagin began preparing for his call to ministry—a ministry that now spans 50 years—at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. He graduated from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and holds an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Faith Theological Seminary in Tampa, Florida.
In his early years of ministry, Rev. Hagin was an associate pastor and traveling evangelist. Later, he went on to organize and develop RHEMA Bible Training Centers in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and in other countries around the world.
Kenneth W. Hagin’s array of responsibilities also includes International Director of RHEMA Ministerial Association International. He hosts the annual A Call to Arms® Men’s Conference, and with his wife, Lynette, cohosts RHEMA Praise, a weekly television program, and Rhema for Today, a weekday radio program broadcast throughout the United States. They also conduct Living Faith Crusades, spreading the message of faith and healing around the world.
Recognizing the lateness of the hour before the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, Rev. Hagin has expanded his speaking schedule beyond his regular pastoral duties. To fulfill the urgent call of God to prepare the Church for a deeper experience of His Presence, Rev. Hagin delivers messages that reveal key spiritual truths about faith, healing, and other vital subjects. He ministers with a strong healing anointing, and his ministry leads the Body of Christ into a greater experience of the glory of God!
Kenneth W. Hagin and his wife live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the son of the late Kenneth E. Hagin.