responded to Jesus’ invitation. That’s all you need to get started:
Decideto become a disciple.
Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you
choose to make. Your commitments can develop you or they can
destroy you, but either way, they will define you. Tell me what
you are committed to, and I’ll tell you what you will be in twenty
years. We become whatever we are committed to.
It is at this point of commitment that most people miss God’s
purpose for their lives. Many are afraid to commit to anything and
just drift through life. Others make half-hearted commitments to
competing values, which leads to frustration and mediocrity.
Others make a full commitment to worldly goals, such as
becoming wealthy or famous, and end up disappointed and bitter.
Every choice has eternal consequences, so you had better choose
wisely. Peter warns, “Since everything around us is going to melt
away, what holy, godly lives you should be living!”^2
God’s part and your part. Christlikeness is the result of
making Christlike choices and depending on his Spirit to help you
fulfill those choices. Once you
decide to get serious about
becoming like Christ, you must
begin to act in new ways. You will
need to let go of some old routines,
develop some new habits, and
intentionally change the way you
think. You can be certain that the Holy Spirit will help you with
these changes. The Bible says, “Continue to work out your
salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to
will and to act according to his good purpose.”^3
This verse shows the two parts of spiritual growth: “work out”
and “work in.”The “work out”is your responsibility, and the
“work in”is God’s role. Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort
between you and the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit works with us, not
just in us.
The Purpose-Driven Life 180
We become whatever
we are committed to.