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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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Commitment Commitment. Do we really understand what that word means? Compare
your idea of commitment to the commitment to principle
and honor that is seen in a letter written by Major
Sullivan Ballou of the Union Army. He penned it to his
wife, Sarah, a week before the battle of My
Very Dear Sarah: The
indications are very strong that we shall move in a
few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able
to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines
that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more
... Sarah,
my love for you is deathless: it seems to bind me with
mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could
break, and yet my love for country comes over me like
a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on, with all
these chains to the battle-field. The
memories of all the blissful moments I have spent with
you come creeping over me, and I feel most deeply
grateful to God, and you, that I have enjoyed them so
long. And how hard it is for me to give them up and
burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God
willing, we might still have lived and loved together
and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood around
us. If
I do not (return), my dear Sarah, never forget how
much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on
the battlefield, it will whisper your name. Forgive my
many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How
thoughtless, how foolish I have oftentimes been... O
Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and
flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be
near you in the gladdest day and in the darkest night,
amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest
hours—always, always: and if there be a soft breeze
upon your cheek, it shall by my breath, or the cool
air cools your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit
passing by. Sarah,
do not mourn me dead: think I am gone, and wait for
me, for we shall meet again... Sullivan Major
Ballou was killed one week later in the first battle
of Are
you aware… that there is Someone who expressed
this kind of commitment for you!
Jesus’ deep commitment and fervent love for
you took Him to the cross to die for your sins so that
YOU could be forgiven and have the hope of eternal
life (Eph1:7). How can we NOT respond to His love - demonstrated by His selfless sacrifice, with our own love and commitment? The
proper response includes: placing your faith
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), repenting
of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing
Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), being baptized
(immersed) for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38),
and committing to follow Him for the rest of your life
(2 Corinthians 5:15). Won’t
YOU
commit your life to the One gave His life for you? God bless you! David A. Sargent, Minister Church of Christ at Creekwood To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
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