(Fourth part)
Memory verse: (Rom12:1) " I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service "
B) Sanctification (2Tim2:21) God will sanctify the life that is totally surrendered to him. He will cleanse it, purify it, wash it, and set it apart for His purposes. In homes, precious vessels like glasses, cups, bowels, jars etc are always cleaned and kept securely for honorable occasions. So are we, we are the vessels God uses to serve the bread of life, the water of life, the love of God, the Healing of God to the world. God wants us to be clean and set apart. Many times we cry to God, "oh purify me Lord". Oh yes, he desires to cleanse us but it not possible for Him to do so until He’s the Lord of our lives. When doctors diagnosed a patient and find serious problem that needs operation, they’ll take that patient in a surgery room. They then will give the patient anesthesia to cut off his senses. This will help the doctors to do the operation without any disturbance. The patient is totally in the hands of the doctor. His life or death is in the doctors’ hands. This is man-trusting man. We can trust God with our lives. God is able to put your life in order again.
Only God can search our hearts, only God can reach those inaccessible areas of your life, only God can touch those areas of your life no one can. The feelings of remorse about your dirty life are good, but not good enough to change your life, surrender your life to God. Only God can turn your messed up life into beauty. Only God can turn your trash into treasure. Accept this fact, you cannot change yourself, only God can change you. God will make your life as white as snow (Is1:18-19) God turns sinners into saints (2cor5:21) When you give your life to God, He will not leave it dirty, stinking, ugly, sinful, but he will transform it into a holy dwelling of God. So many believers struggle with many habits, behaviors, weaknesses etc and for years they find they become worse, just because many of us want to live the way we desire; We fear God to be the controller of our live because He may not permit us to live I life of our choice. But remember that Jesus came to help us because man messed himself up and there was none that could help get our lives together except Christ. When you make Christ the Lord of your life, he will put it on the road again.
Tomorrow we will talk about ‘Usefulness’
