In the world of sports, athletes are always trying to get better. Even the best athletes in the world, who are already at the top of their games, look for ways to improve.

The same should be true of Christians. We should not be stagnant in our walk with the Lord. We should constantly seek ways to up our game for God, crank up our commitment to Christ, and go to the next level for the Lord.

Despite being one of God’s most effective servants, Paul was always striving to be better. In Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV), he said, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Paul was not satisfied with where he was spiritually. He wanted to go higher and higher in the Lord. We should have that same desire.

As Christians, we always have room to grow. I want to encourage each of us to make a commitment to do better this year than we did last year. Let us do a personal assessment to identify how we can improve in our relationship with God. Following are just a few areas where we can up our game for God.

Increase Our Commitment to the Lord

God wants servants who are totally and completely committed to Him. In Luke 9:62 (NIV), Jesus said, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Jesus is saying that we must not allow ourselves to be distracted by anything or anybody as we seek to serve Him. Commitment to God can be described as follows:

          Commitment = Desire + Priority + Sacrifice

Let’s take a look at each of these components.

First, commitment requires us to have a desire to be committed to God. Second Corinthians 5:9 (NIV) says, “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” We should want to please God in everything we do.

Second, commitment requires us to make God our top priority. Matthew 6:33 (NIV) says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The most important Person in our lives must be God and the most important purpose in our lives must be doing God’s will.

Third, commitment requires us to make sacrifices. In Matthew 16:24 (NIV), Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” To deny ourselves means to do what God wants us to do instead of what we want to do. We will have to sacrifice some things to follow Jesus, but it will be well worth it! Giving God the proper priority in our lives will make it easier to sacrifice for Him.

What do you need to do to increase your commitment to God?

Suggestions: Identify the things that you have allowed to have higher priority than God. Ask God to help you reprioritize your life such that He is first.

Increase Our Obedience to the Lord

Since none of us is perfect, we can always improve in the area of obedience. In John 14:15 (NIV), Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Our obedience to the Lord’s commands is evidence of our love for Him. If we don’t obey God’s Word, in effect, we are telling Him we don’t love Him.

Keeping God’s commands means doing what He told us to do and not doing what He told us not to do. In addition, we obey God not just in our actions, but also in our thoughts, words, and attitudes. Does the way you live tell God you love Him? How can you improve your level of obedience to the Lord?

Suggestion: Make a list of the commands you have difficulty obeying, then ask the Lord to help you be more submissive to Him in those areas.

Increase Our Witness for the Lord

We have been called to tell others about Christ. In Acts 1:8 (NIV), Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Are you fulfilling that call to be the Lord’s witness? Who among your family, friends, and co-workers needs to hear about the salvation that is available through Jesus Christ? What can you do to increase your witness for the Lord?

Suggestions: Make a list of people you want to talk to about Christ. Set a goal to talk to at least one person on your list each month about their relationship with God.

Conclusion

When we think about all God has done, we realize that He has blessed us too much for us to be so nonchalant in our service to Him. Ultimately, He gave us the greatest gift of all when He provided salvation for us through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Because of who God is and what He has done for us in Christ, He deserves our very best. In this article, I listed just some of the ways we can up our game for God. What are some other ways we can take our service and ministry to the Lord to the next level?

At the end of the day, this is a personal decision. Each of us must decide how we are going to improve our service to God. What will YOU do this year to up your game for God? Will you make a commitment to get out of your comfort zone and go “above and beyond” for Christ? Let me hear from you! Please post your feedback in the Comments section below.