Bobby Richardson
— Commitment
(For there is no distinction to be made anywhere: everyone has sinned, everyone falls short of the beauty of God's plan.) Under this divine system a man who has faith is now freely acquitted in the eyes of God by His generous dealing in the redemptive act of Jesus Christ. God has appointed him as the means of propitiation, a propitiation accomplished by the shedding of his blood, to be received and made effective in ourselves by faith. God has done this to demonstrate his righteousness both by the wiping out of the sins of the past (the time when he withheld his hand), and by showing in the present time that he is a just God and that he justifies every man who has faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23-26 (JB Phillips)
..... him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37 (JB Phillips)
I became a Christian when I was twelve years old. Our pastor had visited our home several times and talked with me about Christ. And during one of his visits, we knelt in prayer and I asked the Lord to take over my life. On the following Sunday in church I publicly announced my commitment.
Some people feel that there is no need to make such an issue of this decision. But I feel that commitment is a contract made between a person and God and the more definite it is, the better.
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When my wife and I decided to spend the rest of our lives together, we invited everybody we knew to come and witness our marriage vows. In essence, we gave ourselves to each other.
When I was offered the opportunity to play baseball for the Yankees, the first thing we did was sign a contract. I agreed to play for no other club, while the Yankees promised me a certain salary and other benefits. In other words, I gave my baseball talents to the Yankees for a specified time and, in exchange, the Yankee organization gave itself to me in terms of club membership and its privileges.
There's a certain parallel to the commitment a man makes to God when he becomes a Christian. In a very real sense, he gives himself to Christ and Christ gives Himself in return. The only difference in this contract is that the man has eternity to gain and nothing to lose but his sins. The Bible teaches that ". . . all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). All of us are evil in nature and helpless in our own strength to do anything about it. We need a Saviour.
On the cross, Jesus voluntarily suffered the punishment that each of us deserves for sins committed. And in seeing the cross in this light and accepting His sacrifice in our behalf, we receive forgiveness and a new life.
It's important to understand that His forgiveness comes to us freely. We will never fully understand it. We don't deserve it. And we certainly can do nothing to earn it. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
When someone fully understands this and offers himself
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to God on this basis, it remains for God to confirm the contract. And He does. "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16). This promised confirmation by God makes the "contract" definite. And we should be grateful for it. Besides sensing a need for a Saviour and trusting in Him, we can actually experience the change of heart within and know for certain that our new life is genuine.
One further word. We need to recommit ourselves to Christ day by day. I had to learn this the hard way.
Although I had become a Christian at the age of twelve, baseball began to command a larger and larger part of my life in the years that followed. On a Salvation Army youth team, Little League and on into American Legion baseball, my devotion to the game continued to grow.
When I signed with the Yankee farm system at the age of seventeen, I was the happiest kid in the world. But I wasn't prepared for the long, tough, lonely struggle that would follow.
In reporting to my first training camp, I'll never forget the Greyhound bus pulling into Norfolk, Virginia, in the cold, grey dawn of June, 1953. Left behind were all my friends and supporters. Ahead was a big skeptical world that had seen many a local star fall flat on his face.
As discouragement set in during those first few days, a note arrived from my home-town coach, Conley Alexander, and in it he quoted Matthew 6:33: ". . . seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
With a sense of shame, I remembered that first and
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foremost I was a Christian. I began to believe then that God had put me in baseball for a purpose, to glorify Him.
And this led me to a recommitment of my life.
Later I ran into Johnny Hunton, an outstanding Christian in A and Double A baseball. His tremendous courage in standing up for Christ in professional baseball was a great inspiration. I wanted to be just as faithful in my discipleship.
Once again I confirmed my original commitment to Christ. When I was dropped back to D baseball and thought my days in the sport were numbered, He held me steady. Now I commit my life anew to Him at the beginning of each day, often before each game.
It's not because the old commitment "runs out" like a baseball contract. It's because it is strengthening to remember in the midst of constantly changing circumstances that I have a great, unchanging Lord.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I come to You with empty hands. I cannot recommend myself. I am in need of forgiveness. But daring to believe the mighty promises of Your Word, I offer myself to You in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I believe that You will accept me on this basis and give me a new life as His disciple. Confirm this contract by Your Spirit as I commit this day into Your keeping. I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Bobby Richardson was an all-star second baseman for the New York Yankees; "The Mouse That Roared" drove in a record 12 runs during the 1960 World Series. Advisory Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
