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Give yourself over to God
pastor corner

Loving God with all our being needs to be one’s feeling and desire toward God.

This attitude toward God takes time to develop. It comes by developing faith. It is a growing process that takes place gradually.

When one obeys the gospel, this is faith in the infant state. Some might argue about this point, but keep in mind what Peter wrote by inspiration. He told of what has been called the "Christian graces" in 2 Peter 1:5-7.

He went on to say, "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth" (2 Peter 1:8-12).

Faith comes from a growing process. This is a process that must occur if one is ever to realize the idea of giving ourselves to God. When a person is willing to give himself to God, the happenings in this life will not have as great an effect on them. The focus and goals of his life will have a higher target than the things of this present world.

The focus will be on "things above and not things upon the earth" (Colossians 1:2).

Some try to fool themselves and God by giving a part of their life to God while having their heart tied to earthly things. Jesus himself said that such an arrangement couldn’t be successful.

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24).

Giving oneself to God is the idea shown in Paul’s letter to the Romans. He was one who had given himself to God. As he was writing to the Romans, he implored them to develop this attitude in their own 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. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:1-2).

As a Christian, he suffered many things, beatings, shipwreck, etc. (2 Corinthians 11:24-28). How could anyone go through all of this? It was because Paul belonged to God. He lived his life for God, not for Paul.

Today, each one should determine to give themselves over to God. If that is done, one will long for the time of gathering to worship God, in spirit and in truth. God will come first in the lives of all who have given themselves to him. This attitude is a must for all who desire to go to heaven.

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