April 23

Read: Matthew 19:16-22

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).

Reasonable Service

Paul called this act of entire consecration a “reasonable service.” He knew that God required it; he entreated his fellow Christians to do it; but he insisted that it was what every thoughtful Christian should freely choose o do.

Self-surrender is a reasonable requirement because it is a requirement that every man can meet. If God required talent, some of us would be shut out; if He asked for money, some could not pay. But when God asks for the surrender of myself, He asks for that which is wholly within my power. Jesus did not ask the rich young ruler to sell property belonging to his father, his brother, or his business partner. The requirement concerned only that which was his own: “Go and sell that thou hast.” Consecration is reasonable because it is the one condition clearly within my power to meet.

Is it not reasonable also in view of what God has done for me? He gave me life; should I not freely share that life with Him? He gave His only Son to die for my sins; should I not in turn gladly renounce all sin? He offers me eternal life; is it not reasonable that I should accept that offer?

God has made me for himself, and my heart is hungry for Him. There is just one thing that keeps me from my heart’s desire — the unwillingness to give myself fully to Him. My mind tells me that resistance is foolish and fatal. My heart bids me take the reasonable route that my mind sees. I take that route.

Affirmation For Today

Lord, I give myself to Thee. Accept the gilt I bring. I am Thine. Today. Tomorrow. Always.