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
Let’s face it–we are seldom completely honest about our spiritual condition. We are prone to stretch the truth, so as to put ourself in the best possible light. Instead of singing “I surrender all”, some should be singing “I surrender some” or “I surrender nothing”. That would be more honest.
If we want to experience God’s best and enjoy our relationship with Him, we must present ourselves as “a living sacrifice”. Only then can we be what He wants us to be. We would do well to meditate on these words written many years ago by William Law:
When it is the one ruling, never-ceasing desire of our hearts, that God may be the beginning and end, the reason and motive, the rule and measure, of our doing or not doing, from morning to night; then everywhere, whether speaking or silent, whether inwardly or outwardly employed, we are equally offered up to the eternal Spirit, have our life in Him and from Him, and are united to Him by that Spirit of Prayer which is the comfort, the support, the strength and security of the soul, travelling, by the help of God, through the vanity of time into the riches of eternity. Let us have no thought or care, but how to be wholly His devoted instruments; everywhere, and in everything, His adoring, joyful, and thankful servants.
