Personal commitment, when concerned with faith and family, is the irrevocable investment of self in another. As such it is both feared and avoided in a self-indulgent society. Statistically, we are increasingly reluctant to make the commitments implied by marriage and family life. We tend to speak in terms of lifestyle choices so as to avoid the challenge implied by lifelong commitment. Faith, properly understood, is never superficial. It is our unconditional commitment to the person of Christ.

St Paul examines the conflict between faith and personal freedom. Our imagined freedom is frequently compromised. Sin undermines the freedom to choose Christ. We long to be with Christ, and yet, within sinful humanity, there are selfish undercurrents that stifle our freedom to choose. We become the slaves of our own selfishness. Paul describes redemption as a grace of liberty, the freedom to choose Christ above our selfish inclinations. He calls us to the vigilance that refuses to surrender its freedom to casual self-indulgence. "My brothers, you were called to liberty; but be careful, or this liberty will provide an opening for self-indulgence."