On Dedication to God
S. Lavington. 2 Corinthians 8:5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God. I. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN GIVING OURSELVES TO THE LORD? 1. He has a natural and unalienable right to us as the author of our existence. Besides this, He has redeemed us. Yet He expects that we should confirm His right to us by our own voluntary surrender. 2. We had sold ourselves to sin, and the world had too much reason to claim us for its own. To give ourselves to the Lord implies that we renounce all former dependence and attachments, and that thus disengaged from all rivals, we present our bodies and spirits an unreserved sacrifice to God. II. HOW WE ARE TO GIVE OURSELVES TO THE LORD. 1. With humility and reverence. Remember that you are engaged with the greatest Being in the universe. 2. Deliberately; with the prudence and caution of those who know what they are doing. Rash promises are seldom observed. Zeal without knowledge soon becomes cold. 3. Cheerfully; not by constraint, but willingly. Consider yourselves as going to receive, not confer, a favour; and let gratitude and joy mingle with all that you do. 4. Immediately. How long halt ye between two opinions? III. WHY THIS SHOULD BE OUR FIRST AND PRINCIPAL CONCERN. Because — 1. God has the first and indisputable claim to us. 2. It may otherwise never be done. How common is it for men, when their consciences urge them to this self-dedication, to put it off to a more convenient season! 3. All other things will then succeed better. It is the blessing of the Lord that maketh rich. (S. Lavington.) Parallel Verses KJV: And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. WEB: This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.