“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1.

What does it mean to totally give yourself over to something or someone? It is a complete release of all control. The Apostle Paul admonishes the Christians in the book of Romans to surrender to God’s divine purposes and divine will for their lives. “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

The Word still stands true today for all born-again believers. Our lives no longer belong to us; we are the beloved children of God. But the big question is, are we truly willing to give ourselves away to Him wholeheartedly—are we willing to be used by God, for His divine purposes, regardless of where it leads? My friends, this is a heart issue—a living sacrifice of self-denial—which is what the Apostle Paul calls our reasonable service. He alone is worthy of all that we have, including ourselves. Yes, there is a cost to following our Savior: it is self-denial that sometimes hurts and stings when the flesh desires the things of this world. Yet the spirit says, “No, you belong to me—follow me!” As Scripture assures us, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.

God’s amazing grace and love saved us all one day; Jesus came and gave Himself away for us on that old rugged cross—it was all for us. As Hebrews 12:2b says, “…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

So, it is a personal decision to deem the Master of Heaven and Earth worthy of all things, to let go and let Him take full control of our lives, and to be willing to follow where He leads. It’s all or nothing, my friends; we must be willing to give body, mind, heart, and soul for His will. Jesus spoke these words about our love for Him. “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26.

Jesus is not telling us to hate others; rather, He is saying that He should be our priority above all other relationships, even self, to be His disciples. As children of God, we no longer own our lives; they belong to God. Because of this, every decision that we make should first be evaluated by God’s foundational truths. As it is written: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. Seeking God first assures us of His divine guidance, protection, love, and covering forever.

My friends, the safest place to be is in the will of God. The road that we travel is not always easy, but when it is orchestrated by the hand of God, it is the best path to walk. God is doing something far greater in our lives than we can imagine. Let us consistently pray to be used for the upbuilding of His Kingdom, by faithfully yielding ourselves to Him, and being confident in His promises. Jeremiah 20:11 states: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you and expected end.”