CHILD OF GOD; GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST

Christians need to give their lives to Christ.

It is a strange affirmation, but absolutely true.

One may ask: but isn't a child of God one who has given his/her life to Christ? Not necessarily. A person is a child of God because they have believed in/on Jesus & confessed Him as Lord; received the Word of God; received the gospel and turned to the Lord. These are the words the bible actually uses to describe what we call "giving one's life to Christ" (Romans 10:9; Acts 8:12-14; 9:35 & 1 Corinthians 15:1). For most, the bible says simply "they believed". On getting born again, what actually happens is that Jesus gives the believer His life (the divine, eternal God-life/nature).

Now, having received the life of Christ, I beseech you: give your life to Him. Give your life (time) to Christ; give command/control/lordship of your life to the Lord. Let Him be number one; make Him first place. Let Him be your priority.

This is what Paul was saying to the Romans: "I beseech you.....to present your bodies as a living sacrifice.....this is your true worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove the.....will of God" (Romans 12:1&2)

This is what James was saying to the Jews scattered abroad: "submit to God" (James 4:7).

It is what the Holy Spirit is saying to us today: give your life to Christ. Let Him be Lord, let Him rule & reign. Let Him be first, let Him be all.

The new creation is meant to be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14). We're not meant to be led by our appetites, wants, emotions, desires or ambitions.

In our conduct & lifestyle, He ought to be enthroned as Lord, not our bodies; because even those bodies belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:20). Abstaining from sexual immorality, possessing our bodies in sanctification; we honour Him, for that is His will (1 Thessalonians 4:4). Reining in our appetites for food, sleep, leisure & sex, we put our bodies under & worship Him with them. We offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy & acceptable to Him (1 Corinthians 9:27; Romans 12:1). We refuse to think, emote & will like the world; we think, emote & will according to the Word, our souls are subject to His lordship (Romans 12:2).

In making decisions, life choices & plans; His will ought to be priority, His Word the determining factor. We are open & consecrated to His will. We're yielded to the His Spirit (the Spirit of the Lord) (Isaiah 11:2). We are like He was when He walked on the earth, His life & will were totally given over to His Father (John 4:34 & 8:29). His willed to do His Father's will. He was obedient even to a shameful death on a Roman cross (Philippians 2:5&8). Our heart-posture is like His: "I come to...do your will" (Hebrews 10:7).

Christ gave His life for you & to you; now give your life to Him & for Him (Matthew 10:39 & 2 Corinthians 4:11). You have received His life; now give Him yours.

Babies don't understand this; sons do.

Babies go, "give me, give me, give me". Sons know, "all that the Father has is mine" (Luke 15:31; John 16:15 & 1 Corinthians 3:21). So sons cry, "I am yours, make me, mold me, use me; I'll go where you say, do what you say; I'll even think what you say".

Babies love to say, "I am a free moral agent, I can think for myself". Both are true. But sons choose to submit to the Word & the Spirit.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the church.

We can no longer live for self, for survival or even for earthly significance in & of itself. We live for the One who died for us.