Step Three: Are You Willing?

Examine Your Commitment

In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God.        I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship.

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus urges us to take up our cross and follow Him. If anyone wants to follow Me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow Me continually.

The cross is every trouble that falls upon us. Carrying a cross in Jesus' day meant facing the most painful and humiliating means of death. Jesus' call for us to take up our cross and follow Him today is a call to humble ourselves and surrender ourselves to His will. Absolute surrender to God means dying to self.

The call to take up our cross is tough, but the reward is beyond compare. Nothing in this world is worth passing up eternal life. I desire to walk in the same way Jesus walked, be led by His Spirit, and follow in His steps.

Are You Willing?

Are you willing to set aside your own self-centered ways, rights, frustrations, and offenses? Are you willing to let go of anger and bitterness hidden in your heart that hinders the Love and Life of God's flow through you?

If you are willing, that's all that is required. Be willing, and God will do the rest. I pray that God will do this work because I can't. Truly giving up your inner feelings to Him results in peace and joy in your inner life and is reflected in your outer life.

Philippians 3:7-15 Whatever things were assets to me, these I now consider a loss for the sake of the Messiah. What is more, I continue to consider all these things to be a loss for the sake of what is far more valuable knowing the Messiah Jesus, my Lord. It is because of Him that I have experienced the loss of all things. Indeed, I consider them rubbish in order to gain the Messiah.

I don't have to "feel" like letting go of inner offenses; I simply must be "willing" to give them over to God.

It isn't easy, I know! But ask yourself: Are you happy with your relationship with God? Are you happy with your relationships with others? Are you content with all your circumstances? Do you have peace and joy in your life?
If you answer no to any of these questions, that will make you to a willingness to exchange this old life for the new.

Old life:
Philippians 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred.
New Life:
Philippians 4:32 Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven you in the Messiah Jesus.

In Psalm 40:12, David presents a frightful view of his sin: "Innumerable evils have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me so that I cannot see. They are more in number than the hair on my head, and my courage has forsaken me."

If you find yourself undone by your trials and tribulations, consumed by self-centered thoughts and uncontrolled emotions. In that case, you have lost sight of a Redeemer who has triumphed over your spiritual enemies. Seek God and love His salvation. Rejoice in Him and praise His name. A prayer of faith can unlock His fullness to you. His promises are sure.

Father in heaven, I choose to set aside my thoughts, emotions and desires to follow Your word, Your will, and Your path for my life. Search me, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.