Immersed life!

People immerse themselves in all kinds of activities and for all sorts of causes. For some however, that immersion is only partial. There is involvement, but their whole self is not SURRENDERED. What marks our relationship to Christ and His Cause?

A number of years ago I saw an illustration of a man being immersed in baptism, but his hand was out of the water. In that hand was his wallet. The implication of the picture was that this man was SURRENDERING himself, but not his money, to Christ. Such is indicative of only a partial SURRENDER to Christ; withholding certain aspects that one is not ready to yield to the Lord’s Will. Let us remember Jesus gave His all for us.

This week I read an illustration that reflected the opposite of the picture I saw years ago. This was about a man who went forward to be baptized at a country church where there was no baptistery. After arriving at a nearby creek, he emptied his pockets before going down into the water. However, someone noticed a lump in his back pocket and said, “Sir, you forgot to take out your wallet.” The man responded, “I didn’t forget. I figured if I baptize that part of me too, then everything will be okay.”

This latter example reveals a view of SURRENDER to the Lord that acknowledges whatever is in our hands we are merely stewards of and therefore must consider how they are to be used for the Lord’s purposes. Our possessions as well as our lives are to be seen as belonging to Jesus when we have SURRENDERED to Him.

Remember Jesus’ warning when He said. . .
“(19) Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO.” ( Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)

Whatever we withhold from the Lord is most likely where our heart truly is. To love Him more makes it easy to SURRENDER it. We must bear in mind to whom we belong as Christians.

Paul exhorted those at Corinth to remember. . .
“(19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN, (20) for YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE. So glorify God in your body.” ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV)

We have been purchased by the blood of Jesus. ( Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18-19) We are to therefore live acknowledging WE BELONG TO HIM. That implies WHATEVER WE HAVE BELONGS TO HIM as well. Are we willing to use it in His service and for His glory? May the use of our money and other possessions reflect we have truly SURRENDERED to His Lordship.

Have a great day LIVING FULLY FOR THE LORD!
Carl

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