Giving your gifts to God

When receiving salvation we offer our lives to Jesus for renewal and transformation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" There are some parts that are relatively easy to let go: baggage and burdens we no longer want, the less palatable aspects of our character. Yes, there are some sins and selfish ambitions that we want to cling on to, but we are aware that they need to be dealt with.

What we often forget about is our better parts, such as the gifts and talents we have. We like them too much, we're proud of them. But, before salvation even these are under the curse of sin and death. No matter how good they are they are still a part of our old selves. These, too, have to be transformed in Christ.

Salvation is not like some Grand Designs program, where some rich couple take the best bits of an old building and incorporate it into their dream modern home. There is no fusion of old and new. The old has gone; the new has come.

There are consequences if you don't offer you gifts to God. They can lead to pride, to independence from God and to disobedience. I am always happy to rely on my own abilities rather than letting God work through me. If you don't do it, you're seriously missing out. Jesus said he came to bring "life to the full". There isn't simply room for this new full life if you're not giving up all of the last one.

Respond
Think of your talents and gifts. Offer them to God for renewal and transformation.

Quick Question

1. Do you have any party tricks (like burping the national anthem)?