Evangelist Joseph. O.

Olorunnisola Total Surrender

Date: January 27, 2013

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God Romans 12: 1-2 Under the Levitical law, when an offering is given as a sacrifice unto the Lord, it is holy. It now belongs entirely to the Lord. The giver has no control of any kind on the offering again. To dwell in the excellence of Gods uncommon favor, peace, abundance and certainty of eternal glory requires a total surrender, commitment, and irreversible submission of your life to God the body formerly an instrument of sin now becomes irreversibly the channel through which the righteousness and fear of God flow without any obstruction. The fear of God kills the fear of man and destroys the fear of every other thing. Total surrender starts with repentance this is much more than regret, more than deep sorrow for past sins. Thus repentance is replete with radical implications, for a fundamental change of mind not only turns us from the sinful past, but transforms our life plan, values, ethics, and actions as we begin to see the world through Gods eye rather than ours. Repentance is an indispensable part of the conversion process that takes place under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. But repentance is also a continuing state of mind. Without a continuing repentant attitude a persistent desire to turn away from our nature and seek Gods nature, Christian growth is impossible and loving God is difficult. Freedom. If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free John 8:31-32. Our culture tells us that freedom and happiness come from having a lot of money, power, fame, or exalted position. But this is not so. A number of rich men commit suicide, many among the famous Stars live on drug & drink to suppress their sorrow while a number of celebrities live their lives in restlessness and soul disequilibrium. True happiness must come from within us and the most basic condition for happiness is freedom. Not political freedom, but freedom from the mental formation of fear, anger, dejection, despair, hatred, bitterness, envy, pride, jealousy, delusion covetousness, and unforgiving heart. These mental formations are known as poisons. When you are still possessive of these poisonous viruses, you are a Vessel of Satan, and an alien to God; for God is Love. Total surrender further entails accepting and practicing Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The Way: Moses wanted to know the way the only way. Now, therefore, I pray, if I have found grace

in your sight, show me now your way, that I may know you and that I may find grace in your sight. Exod. 33: 13. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; says the Lord Jesus", John14:6. Christ is the only way to the Father and to the eternal kingdom of glory and joy. Without Christ in your life you cannot find grace in the sight of the Father. This way is a way of Righteousness, justice, and judgment. A way laced with faith, adversity, and patience. It is a narrow way of obedience and total submission. Merrian-Websters dictionary defines righteousness as acting strictly in accordance with moral or divine law, free from guilt or sin, blameless, doing it right under whatever pressure or circumstance. Can you pause for a moment and meditate over this compelling attribute of Christ who further stresses in Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. It is not an option. This is the condition to receive in overflowing measure from God. For he says in Proverbs 8:20. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment, that I may cause those who love me to inherit substance and I will fill their treasures. An everlasting covenant of the lord to the righteous is that they shall dwell on high. Their place of defense shall be the mountain of rocks, bread shall be given them and their waters shall be sure, they shall see the King in His beauty and they shall behold the Land that is very far off. Isa.33: 16-17. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein forever. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. Psm 37: 25,29 & 37. God is not ready to compromise or negotiate this condition of righteousness/total surrender for His full blast blessing. Yet our secular culture teaches us to trust in ourselves and in the things we can see rather than in our unseen triune God. Our materialistic world also has its primary focus on unrighteous acquisition of wealth and power. We are ever spiritually rebellions to Gods laws and we see obedience as only optional. Christ is an uncompromising way of righteousness and every act of unrighteousness is a repugnant stench that is visited with justice and judgment, alienating us from his covenant of peace, & blessing. No act of unrighteousness shall ever go unpunished by God. It is His way. It is a way laced with adversity: if we must walk in Christ, we would be battered by storms of adversity. The Lord is very much aware of everything we are going through. He allows hardship for our benefit and for His glory. Our trials are not intended to destroy us but to cleanse us, and return us to righteousness. For as a belt clings to the waist, so I desire that all the people of Israel cling to me, declares the Lord, to be my people for my glory, praise and honor. But they have not listened Jer. 13:11. Many of us place higher priority on family and friends than on companionship with God. For others, finances, work, or even pleasures. When the Lord sees our attention is drifting away from Him, he might use hardship to draw us back so that well give him his proper place. Return to Him today with all your heart. Another reason is to conform us to the image of Jesus. God uses pain to sift, shape, and prune us. Sometimes, stressful circumstance is allowed to reveal a true conviction. Our faith is tested in tough times. It is easy to say God is good when things are peaceful. But when things go bad, do we still believe and say God is good? Sometimes, we are processed through trial to equip us as an authentic counselor to minister to others when they are passing through similar situations. Be patient and faithful you will soon be out. Jesus Christ and His word remain the only Truth about God, about Creation, righteousness, salvation, judgment, Hell and eternity in glory. He is the true image, glory, and power of the Father. Believe Him. Christ is the Life. You are currently operating with a breath of life (Gen.2:7) Once the breath expires you are dead. Unless you accept Christ into your life you have no hope of eternity in glory. ( John 10:10)