Total submission to God requires sacrificing your self-will in every matter of life in order to do the will of God. When you surrender your will to God, you make a covenant of sacrifice. You sincerely endeavor to live a life that is pleasing to Him in every way. “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8) Your role model is Jesus, God’s dear Son, who did his Father’s will perfectly, even unto death. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) The Apostle Paul explains what it means to surrender our wills. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices (the slaughter of self-will), holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)
There is only one call to sacrifice during this Gospel Age and that is to be part of the heavenly Bride of Christ, a very small and elect group. God does the calling. If you feel you have been called, do not take the call lightly. You are very special to the Lord. He would not have called you if He did not know that you were capable of fulfilling your covenant of sacrifice. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) Although surrendering your will to God may at first appear to be daunting, God has given us many encouraging and faith-building scriptures that support us on our Christian journey. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
