Philippians 3:7 (New International Version)
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the
sake of Christ.
George Mueller was a man known for building orphanages by
faith in the mid-1800s. He raised literally millions of dollars for his
orphanages, yet died with little in his own bank account. When asked about his
conversion experience he commented, I was converted in November of 1825, but I
only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July 1829.
The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, the love of position
was gone, and the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, God
alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by
the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, an exceedingly
happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask
affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to
God, or is there this thing or that thing with which you have taken up
irrespective of God? I read a little of the scriptures before, but preferred
other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has
become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an
infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you
can say, God is an infinitely lovely Being! [Basil Miller, Man of Faith and
Miracles (Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bethany House Publishers, n.d.)]
Many will never get to the place where George Mueller was
in his spiritual life, because we are unwilling to release control of these
areas of which he speaks. If we do release control, it usually is due to a
process that God brings us through. Paul got knocked off a horse and was spoken
to personally before he was willing to listen and follow completely. Peter had
to live with Jesus three years and he still denied Him. It was only later,
after he denied Jesus and realized how weak he was in his own faith, that he
became fully committed to the Savior.
What will it take for you to fully surrender? You will
know that you have given full surrender when power, money, and position no
longer have meaning in your life. Paul said he came to a place where his life
was the life of Christ only. It is a sacrificial life, but it is also a life of
freedom, purpose, and meaning. Let God take full control and see His life lived
fully through you.
Dear Lord we want to completely surrender all to You. We
want to be what You want us to be and to do what You want us to do. In Jesus’
name, Amen.
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