Three Committments That Change Church Life
Practical steps to live out the humilty, care, and value Jesus calls for
The first ten verses of Matthew 18 give us one of the most explicit pictures of life in the church that Jesus intends: humility like a child, care for one another, protection from harm, and genuine value for every believer.
If we want our congregations, and the brotherhood at large, to be healthy and credible in the eyes of the watching world, these truths can’t stay theoretical. They must shape the way we live every day.
Here are three commitments we can make starting today.
1. Sharpen My Focus on Humility
Jesus said, “Unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
Humility isn’t optional; rather, it is the entrance requirement for the kingdom. James 4:6 reminds us, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
This week, make humility a matter of prayer:
Ask God to reveal where pride is influencing your reactions.
Focus your attention on Christ, who “emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7).
Live in total dependence on Him, knowing every gift and opportunity comes from His hand (1 Corinthians 4:7).
2. See Jesus in My Brother or Sister
In Matthew 18:5, Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me.”
That means every fellow Christian you meet carries the presence of Christ (Galatians 2:20). To speak to them, serve them, or care for them is to do the same to Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40).
This changes the way we:
Speak about each other (Ephesians 4:29)
Handle disagreements (Colossians 3:12–14)
Respond to weakness (Romans 15:1–2)
Resolve today to see Jesus in others before you see their faults.
3. Hold My Brothers and Sisters in High Esteem
Matthew 18:10 warns us not to despise even one of these “little ones.” That means never looking down on, disregarding, or treating a believer as less valuable.
Romans 12:10 puts it positively: “Outdo one another in showing honor.”
This commitment means:
Assuming the best instead of the worst (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Moving with a spirit of forgiveness for past wrongs (Ephesians 4:32)
Practicing patience the way you want others to be patient with you (Colossians 3:13)
Why These Commitments Matter
These three commitments should become your way of life.
If we live them out, we reflect the heart of Jesus and make the gospel visible to the world (John 13:35). We also protect the unity of the church, which is essential for the mission of reaching the lost (Philippians 1:27).
Humility. Seeing Christ in others. Holding each other in honor. That’s what life in the church is meant to look like.
Upcoming:
I will continue in Matthew 18:11–20, where Jesus teaches about seeking the straying brother and going to your brother first when conflict arises. These verses have been the subject of much debate, but we will sift through them to understand what Jesus actually says and how they apply today.
