Surrender Your Body to God's Great Mercies ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba

After 11 chapters of rich theology, we reach the Practical section of Romans. That is: with all the knowledge we have just been given, now how do we put it to practice. Still wrapped in these two verses is rich depth of theological truth. So much so, that we must take our time unraveling the riches of these two verses. Therefore, because of Who He is. His great mercies, wisdom, and justice rationality demands you surrender your body completely to God. Too often we try to object by saying “you cannot know my heart. I do love God, even if my actions say otherwise.” Which is true. But, others can see the fruits of your actions. A true love of God-a trembling at His Awesomeness shows in everything we do. It may not be discerned in a moment’s action; but it is notable in a life lived devoted to Christ.

Certainly, I cannot know if another’s actions are from a heart of love, pride or rebellion. Sometimes I have trouble gaging my own heart’s individual actions. But God does know each motive and action. Therefore, if I am constantly seeking His word, He will reveal to me His Will in every decision placed before me. The more I am aware of His presence every second of the day, the more I lean into Him. Thereby, through prayer and study of His word, I surrender wholeheartedly my body, mind, and spirit to Him. As you focus on who He is and all He has done for you, it becomes urgently necessary to surrender your body completely to Him. Why? Because there is the sweet communion where all is covered by His peace, His love, His joy, and the knowledge that you are His Beloved Child. You are walking in His Will.

Therefore, Because of All He IS, you must surrender Your Body Completely to God

The book of Romans can be divided into essentially 4 parts. 1. The Wrath of God. 2. The Grace of God. 3. The plan of God. And 4^th: The will of God. Within the book of Romans the word therefore is used 27 times in the KJV. Each pointing back to all that has gone before. This guides us to utilize all the doctrine given before completing the confirmation of what is about to be said. We will look at three which came before this one that were essentially a summary before moving on. Before each of these had been others, guiding us along the way to these conclusions.

Therefore, all are condemned. All have sinned, and none can be justified by their own work.

Therefore, by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20 NKJV

All have sinned, and no one can be justified on their own actions. We are condemned before a Holy God.

Therefore, Justification is through Christ Alone. It is by Grace Alone, through faith alone.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Romans 5:1 NKJV

This is an act of Grace beyond anything our human hearts can fully grasp, but we must recognize it as such. No longer are we the objects of His Justified Wrath against us. Why? God, the Son, took on flesh to live a perfect life. The perfect sinless life we could not. He suffered and faced all the temptations we do, without sinning. Then willingly He surrendered Himself to the cruel cross. He took upon Himself all the wrath of sinful man and all the wrath of God the Father. He did all so we might be counted as righteous, though we have not one ounce of righteousness without Him.

Therefore, Total Exoneration because of Christ

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1

No Condemnation. None. How can that be! Mercy and Grace.

Therefore, Consecration is Certain and Demanded

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. Romans 12:1 (NKJV).

When you consider Who He is and All His Mercies toward you, how can you not surrender your body completely to Him?

But How Do You Surrender Your Body to God?

After all. This flesh desires what it desires, and the fight seems too hard at times. Are not our salvation and sanctification all by grace alone? Then, what must I do? Is not my doing anything an act of works? Not really. It begins by surrendering to the truth. Our sin was crucified with Christ. No longer must I or you be a slave to our sin nature. We are now raised to a new life as a new creature. Yet, we must remember this each day and place our flesh once more on the altar. We are a “living” sacrifice. That means we keep wanting to jump off the altar when the flames rise up. But again, back to how do we do this. Thankfully, Paul gave us that very answer.

“do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Romans 12:2 NKJV.

God performs the work of transformation, but we must seek His word. Otherwise, we leave Him with no choice. To transform our mind He must systematically remove all those things we desire above Him. Sounds cruel? Not really. Those are the things that keep you from full joy. He knows that. At other times, He does not remove them. However, He does transform your desire for them step by step diminishing them. This may be as you find severe pain in seeking them. Thus, He allows unholy desires to carry out their natural consequences. Pain, Sorrow and death. In the most severe of cases, He may take the Rebellious Christian home as we saw in the last lesson.

However, if you look at this verse in Romans 12 closely. It is not a suggestion. Rather, it is a strong, urgent, pleading command. God and Paul, for that matter, want you to live the best life ever. Yet, that only can be found in the center of God’s will.

Everything else will one day fade away.

Therefore, Surrender Your Body Completely

All too often, I think we underestimate the absolute majesty and wonder of who God IS. He spoke this magnificent galaxy and all the others into being with one word of His mouth. Everything is held together by Him. Yet, He sees every tear I shed and knows each thought. Such love is too great for me to fully comprehend. How wondrous is He! Why would I not want to give Him everything? What foolish desire would I want to cling to? Knowing that He has everything I need and more abundantly, I want Him above all else.

Perfect Wisdom and Justice can lead my life to places I never thought of. Looking back, I know that. What a marvelous life I have been given the opportunity to have! He even took all my moments and transformed them into something glorious. My life has been so richly filled with people, places, and unimaginable beauty. It surrounds me with such marvel and wonderful joy, peace, and love. As in the song by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, “No guilt in life, no fear in death. That is the power of Christ in me.”

An urgent plea to surrender your body completely

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, Ephesians 4:1 NASB

Just as in Romans, Paul lays out the theological framework first. Then, he through the Holy Spirit pivots to the practicality of his teaching. He urges the reader to walk in a manner surrendered to God. We have been overwhelmingly blessed with so much. Ephesians describes the absolute richness of our blessings in Christ Jesus. We are His Chosen Bride, heir of the Kingdom, Beloved, Blessed Child of God. Furthermore, we are the Possessor of all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places. As such we are honored to be His prisoner and slave (protected and cared for). That is to name a few. Furthermore, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, thereby having no fear.

So, surrender is an urgent command, that we might experience the heights of His Steadfast Joy in us.

So, back to the steps toward how to surrender your body completely.

Paul outlined this.

Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 NKJV

J.B Phillips Version reads: “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould” ¹

Where does sin begin? In your mind. You see something and the more you focus on it the more you desire it.

Ok, but how do you not do that?

Study His Word every day, morning and night.

the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 (NASB)

Or again, as J.B Phillips paraphrased it:

The truth is that, although of course we lead normal human lives, the battle we are fighting is on the spiritual level. The very weapons we use are not those of human warfare but powerful in God’s warfare for the destruction of the enemy’s strongholds. Our battle is to bring down every deceptive fantasy and every imposing defence that men erect against the true knowledge of God. We even fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ.

Or as King David, the cry of our heart must be:

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. Psalm 119: 10-12 KJV

Transform Me Lord by Effie Darlene Barba

Transform me Lord with each new day

That I might be Your light, I pray

To shine into each darkened heart

Your love and mercy their impart

So that the ones with whom I meet

Might see your smile, I do entreat

That you would take this feeble heart

Surrendered to thy will to start

A cascade of thy love divine

Pour forth from me, your glory shine

And lay aside all my desires

To light a path with spirit fires

That draw the broken, wounded lost

Oh, Lord let me not count the cost

But freely lay aside the “me”

That Thou art all they truly see

Concluding thoughts:

Fill your life with His Presence and His Word. Lay aside all that draws you away from Him. Thereby, you surrender your body completely to Him. Stay close to His word. Remember His mercies. And you will find your life transformed by His Spirit in you. Mary surrendered to His Will completely in faith. Not an easy choice in her day, but she trusted Him for the Mercy God showed her.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. That is except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

¹ J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)

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