Self-Renunciation # 3

Self-Renunciation # 3

But the apostle specifies how this is to be done. "Glorify God with your BODY" - by all its limbs, organs, and senses - for all are His. Glorify God by chastity; by temperance; by industry in your calling; by reverence in worship; by giving up your whole frame to the service of piety and charity; and by resigning it, without murmuring, to the attacks of disease, the stroke of death, and, if called to it, to chains, imprisonment, and martyrdom for the cause of Christ. Thus even the body can be used by the soul which animates it, as in instrument for glorifying God. Even the corporeal frame, inhabited, sustained, and directed as it is, by a rational mind, may be employed to the praise and honor of its Creator. Dust though it be in its origin and destiny, it may rise to the dignity of glorifying God. From it, as an instrument of many strings, the renewed and sanctified spirit may bring out sweet music to God, such as he will accept, and be well please to hear. Christians, give your bodies to God, to magnify His name, and great honor Him. Oh, do not consider them as a mere collection of organs, appetites, and senses to be gratified and pleased for their own sakes; as favorite menials to be pampered; as stately forms to be adorned, decorated, and admired; but as part of yourselves, to be yielded to God, and as members to be instruments of righteousness unto Him.

The body, however, is only a part, and that the interior part of our compound nature, which which we are to glorify God: the Spirit, the immaterial and immortal spirit, must also be thus employed. Our understanding, in the contemplation of His glory. Our will, in choosing Him as our chief good. Our affections, in loving what He loves, and hating what He hates. Our memory, in retaining His doctrines and precepts. Our conscience, in directing, warning, and reproving us for Him.

It is the soul, the immortal soul, that receives His image. Then, indeed, we glorify Him, when a holy mind shines forth in all the beauties of a holy character; when there is that in us and about us, which reminds men of God; when everything about us seems to say, "Come, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!"

We cannot be acting up to our obligations, unless we are compelling those who observe us to say, either to themselves or others, "That man, I see, fears God, and is aiming to please Him. When I forget God, he reminds me of Him; what I am ignorant of concerning God, he teaches me by his character; when I sin against God, his conduct rebukes me. I am afraid of him; I venerate him; and yet I do not feel easy and happy in his presence. There is something solemn about the goodness of his actions.

To produce such an impression, what unvarying sanctity, what rigid morality,what deep humility, what profound submission, what gentleness and meekness, what holy cheerfulness, what tender piety, what diffusive liberality - must thee be in our conduct! Oh, what kind of people ought we to be, and must we be - to remind men of God - and give them some idea of what He is! What exemplary holiness should there be in that character, which we presume to hold up to the world, and say: "See, this is the image of God!"

Now, my dear friends, you are to glorify God. All your purposes, aims, objects, plans, wishes, and prayers, must be gathered up in that one petition. "Father, glorify Your name." But does it occur to you, what a prayer that is, as presented not only by you, but in reference to you! He must have great grace, who, with a clear understanding of its meaning, can present it in sincerity. Are you then willing that God should glorify Himself in you, and by you? If so, you must impose no conditions; dictate no terms; lay down no plans; make no exceptions - but leave all this to Him. Such a prayer means, "Lord, how You will, what You will, when You will - only let me glorify You!" You must be prepared to do it, either by sickness, or health - by success, or failure in business - by setting down in ease and quiet by your fire-side, or striking your tent, and becoming a wanderer to the ends of the earth - by the world's smiles, or its frown - by the soft and silent flow of your history, or by the roaring torrent and dashing cataract - by the society, or bereavement of your friends - by a long life, or an early death.

Are you prepared for this? Will you, now that you understand it, present the prayer, "Father, glorify Your Name?" Can you, will you,do you put yourself in God's hand, saying, "O God, I am not my own! I am Yours! Serve yourself in me, and by me. Provided you grant me grace to bear as well as do your will, I am content to do it in any situation, and any circumstances."

This is obviously your duty - for you are not your own, but God's. Think, I entreat you, of the sacred and tender obligation which comes upon you by the manner of your redemption, thus to live. How many claims are comprised in that one, "You are bought with a price!"Justice demands it of you, for He has purchased you, and at how immense a price! To take what belongs to man, is robbery; but to take what belongs to God, is sacrilege.

~John Angell James~

(continued with # 4)