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Recently, I watched the original Ben Hur movie (1959) and was stunned by how much it focused on Jesus. Despite barely mentioning His name, the film still highlighted the impact He had on people. This got me thinking about Christ's impact on me since I chose to submit to Him and His Father, God Almighty.
Although I'd given my life to Him when I was younger, I did not understand what that meant. Returning to Him as an adult, and in sheer desperation, forced me to pay close attention to what it meant to give one's life to Christ truly. I watched the Savior transform me into a work-in-progress. I went from a person who had never fasted to one who fasted for long stretches. From being unable to sleep at night for years, I became someone who could swiftly drift into peaceful sleep. An unhealthy addiction to coarse language, reality television, and news vanished.
These things happened during a particularly tough season. And, as I continued walking with the Lord, the problems reduced and miracles sprang up. I was in need of a car and received one for free. In need of accommodation, the way was opened to get it smoothly. Over the years, challenges arose and often pushed me to the very edge of my faith in the Lord, but with each situation, I eventually saw His faithfulness and capacity to get me through dark times.
While I am still under 'construction, I continue to learn that giving my life to Jesus cannot be a matter of lip service (1 Corinthians 4:20). I've had to give up things and people that I never anticipated. I don't always understand why, but I know that if God wants it that way, it's for my good. And as I've submitted to His will - sometimes hesitantly - the Lord has opened my eyes to how my obedience blessed myself and others.
If you are a churchgoer who has not submitted your life to Christ, there is a problem. You are a Christian in name only, lacking the authority promised to all who believe in the Son of God. And if you have given your life to Christ but are not walking in the fruits and the gifts of the Spirit of God, that is also a problem. The fruits and the gifts are hallmarks of discipleship. Although they may blossom over time, they are freely given to all who believe in Jesus and seek what He has to offer.
Alas, many of us think attending church, going to conferences, and being good people is enough. Yet, we continue to cheat, lie, and fornicate, wrongly convinced that there is grace for repeated, unrepented sin. Being godly and righteous is what the Lord desires from us. On the other end of the spectrum, some don't want to give their lives to Christ because they don't want to cede control to Him. They believe a life with Christ at the helm will be boring, painful, and poverty-riddled. They also haven't seen or heard Believers make God and His word attractive (Titus 2:10).
God's best is for His children and the Bible states that it is only those who are led by His Spirit that are His children (Romans 8:14). Plus, the sole way to gain His Spirit is to repent of sins, acknowledge Jesus died for our sins, believe He is the Son of God, and live according to what He taught (John 14:15). Without these factors and the application of their faith, Christians are lions with neither teeth nor claws. Casually powerless just as satan prefers because then, they are his to domineer and manipulate.
But God doesn't want that for anyone He created in His image. He wants every person to be filled with the power He's reserved for all who believe in Jesus. He wants to fulfill His Son's word that all who believe in Him will do greater works than He did when He walked the earth (John 14:12). The Lord wants His people to be threshing tools that separate those who need to go from the Body of Christ (Isaiah 41:15). He wants His children to execute the judgment written in the Good Book, so they play a role in bringing His plans to pass (Psalm 149:6-9).
None of that will be possible if individuals don't give their lives to Christ and live as those who have done so. Instead, the devil will get away with harassing people and bringing chaos into families, communities, and organizations like the government or the workplace. Esther fasted for three days and became the most powerful woman in the world. She was the instrument God used to stop a murderous plot against her people. What more you and me who can have Jesus in our lives today and access the power God used to raise Him from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20)? A people who can declare that God's glory rises upon them?
Ask Christ to be your Lord and Savior today and let Him transform your life. He'll do it to glorify God (John 14:13). There must be a willingness to be changed because that is part of the process when you give your life to Christ. The transformation won't all happen at once but, with time, the Lord will build you into a vessel for His glory. Desire this change because it comes with increased blessings and gifts that benefit you, the people around you, your future generations, and other children of God who will come after you.
Want to give your life to Christ and fully submit to His authority? Please read the post that follows this one. God bless you and join us for fellowship at Noon EST.
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