Let Go and Let God

Romans 12

The title of today’s message is Let Go and Let God. We’ve seen it on bumper stickers, and heard songs about it, you may have even said it yourself. Let go and let God. It sounds good, it looks good on paper but then there’s the reality of doing it.

Sometimes it’s hard to let go. There are relationships you need to let go of. Not everyone in your life is there for a lifetime. Some come for a reason, some for a season and then there are some who come for a lifetime. God will show you who is which.

There are some things you need to let go of. Some are very easy, while others not so much. How many have those clothes in the closet that are too small, but you’re going to lose the weight and get back into them, or at least that’s what you keep telling yourself? Maybe you will, but perhaps you need to bless someone else with them.

Then there are those things with sentimental value; things passed down from loved ones. Things that are family heirlooms, things that can’t be replaced.

When you hold on to stuff, it lessens your capacity to be blessed by newer and perhaps better stuff. And when you add more and more and more stuff, never getting rid of anything there’s a word for that too. It’s called a hoarder and hoarding is not healthy.

Then there are some habits we have that are not healthy for us and we need to let them go. The first one that comes to mind is our eating habits.

• Are you eating and going to sleep?

• Are you eating dinner too late?

• Are you putting too much food on your plate?

• Are you putting too much on your plate, then forcing yourself to eat it all because when you were growing up you were taught to, “clean your plate”?

• Are you eating because you’re bored?

• Are you snacking late at night?

There’s a weight loss company that investigates the why behind your eating habits, habits that are keeping you from successfully losing and keeping weight off. It focuses on transformation versus a temporary change.

Periodically we need to check our lives and ask God what we need to let go of. Whether it’s people or habits or things. We need to take inventory of our lives every now and then and see what’s weighing us down vs what’s lifting us up. Are the people, things, or habits in your life adding value? Are they adding joy? Or are they sucking the life out of you?

How do you feel when you leave that person’s presence? Do you walk away feeling uplifted, are you energized? Do you leave feeling challenged to do better? Sometimes challenged doesn’t feel good at first, but it is good for you in the end. Or do you leave feeling inadequate, like you’re not enough?

When you finish that plate of food; are you satisfied or are you stuffed?

When you walk around your house, do you always have to move stuff out of the way before you can sit down?

The Apostle Paul has an answer for you in this twelfth chapter of Romans. He begins with an appeal, a plea if you will. With all that’s been said up to now he makes this plea in verse one, NLT “And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable.” In the KJV it reads this way. “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.”

In light of all that Christ has done for us, including

• Giving his life so we might have eternal life.

• Suffering the embarrassment and shame of the cross.

• Taking the beating, when he had done nothing wrong.

• Hurting no one, in fact, helping many…

is it too much to ask?

When you beseech, urge, exhort, or appeal to someone to do something, it’s pretty close to begging. You may sometimes hear someone appeal to another’s humanity, to their humaneness.

Paul is pleading with you to present your bodies as a gift, a living sacrifice, not a dead one on an altar, but alive, ready, and willing to work. Sacrifice your own desires and receive what God has prepared for you. It’s so much better.

• 1 Corinthians 2:9 - “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

• Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

• Ephesian 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

• Psalm 121:7-8 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Don’t be afraid to give God your body, don’t be ashamed. He knows what you look like, and he wants you to come just the way you are. No need to clean up first, you can’t do it anyway. If you could’ve cleaned yourself up, there would’ve been no need for Christ to come. So just come with a willing heart and your mind made up to serve God. Paul says it’s your reasonable service. It’s rational, it makes sense to do this.

Do not be conformed to this world. When you try to conform to this world you will go crazy because the standard is always changing. The goal is in constant motion. It’s like that basketball game at the arcade where you’re shooting the ball and all of a sudden the hoop begins to move and now you’re trying to take your shot anticipating where the goal is going to be.

When you’re not trying to conform to this world, you won’t worry about the superficial things in your life, what you look like, where you live, what kind of car you drive, how green your grass is.

Because what you’ll know is you are fearfully and wonderfully made, you are unique, God made you one-of-a-kind, in His image and you are enough all by yourself. And if you’re not enough for that person, whoever that person is, that’s not where you need to be and that’s your cue to go. That’s your time to bid them so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodnight and take your leave.

I’m not going to spend my time trying to be replica of someone else, when I am a perfect me. No one can be me like me. No, I’m not saying I’m perfect, but I am a perfect me and you are a perfect you.

So instead of conforming to the world, be transformed, be changed from the inside out. God wants you just the way you are, but He loves way too much to leave you there. So why is this change necessary? Because we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity and to present your bodies holy and acceptable to God there must be a transformation.

But it’s not a makeover you can go to Elizabeth Arden’s and get that Paul is talking about. This transformation comes about by the renewing of your mind. It’s a spiritual transformation, a change in the way you think and when you take on the mind of Christ, your actions and your life will change.

• How you look at circumstances and situations, will change.

• How you view and treat people, will change.

• How people view and treat you, will change.

• How you handle money, will change.

• How you eat, will change.

• How you sleep, will change.

• How you speak, will change.

• Where you go, will change.

• How you live, will change.

You will truly be able to let go and let God.

It all starts in the mind. Have you ever seen a baby, I mean an infant who can’t even speak yet, but they have made up in their mind they’re not going to go to sleep. They will do whatever they can to stay awake, it’s usually cry, because that’s pretty much all they know at the time. Eventually, they have no choice but to go to sleep or sometimes you have to assist them in transforming their mind by rocking them, giving them a warm bottle of milk, or playing soothing music.

Paul says be transformed by renewing your mind. To renew something is to make it new again, to start over, to refresh.

When you renew your mind, you sometimes must forget the things you may have been taught by well-intentioned parents, who didn’t know any better, they did the best they knew how, but now Christ is teaching you a new way. He’s teaching you God’s way, the way of THE Father. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new.

There must be a renewal to give God bodies that are holy and acceptable. Not only that, when God renews your mind, then you will learn to know God’s will for your life. You will learn that His will for you is good and pleasing and perfect.

Now, in all this renewing, in all that God is giving you, Paul gives a warning, “Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”

Don’t think you’re all that and a bag of chips, the dip and the soda too.

• We all have areas we need to improve in.

• We all have areas we fall short in.

• We all have areas we’re still growing in.

• We all have areas God is still working on.

For all have sinned and fall short…

Be honest with yourself, and don’t compare yourself to other people. There’s always someone worse than you, but there’s also always someone better than you. Who you look at, many times is determined by how you’re feeling at the time, or how you want to feel.

When you want to feel better about yourself, or justify something you’ve done, you’re going to look at the person who’s worse than you.

When you’re feeling like you want or deserve more, you’re going to compare your life to the person who appears to have more than you, who appears to be doing better than you, who appears happier than you. Don’t be deceived; things are not always as they appear.

The measuring stick is Jesus, he is the example we need to be striving to be like. How many know Jesus never owned a home? When a scribe said he’d follow him anywhere, Jesus responded, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”

He never owned a horse. When he was going into Jerusalem he sent his disciples on a mission, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” just say this: “The Lord needs it.”

He wasn’t rich by man’s standards, he didn’t have a lot of friends, just three in his inner circle and one of them denied knowing him when things got rough. A reason, a season, a lifetime. Know which one they are and deal with them accordingly.

There are many of us, and again each of us has a function in the body of Christ and our functions are all different, even if they seem the same. Before you try to take on someone else’s tasks know completely what they do. So many times, we think we know what a person is doing, but we don’t truly see what all goes into it.

• You’re not there when the pastor is praying and studying to put together the message.

• You’re not there when the Sunday school teacher is preparing the lesson.

• You’re not there when the usher is putting together the materials for the congregants coming into the house.

• You’re not there when hospitality is preparing all the snacks and drinks before Sunday school.

• You’re not there when housekeeping is cleaning up after everyone else is gone.

• You’re not there when the treasurer is counting, documenting and depositing everyone’s giving.

• You’re not there when; so be careful when you see something and start thinking oh I can do that.

Find out what your function is in the body and stay in your lane. Your hands are not trying to walk, and your feet are not trying to put food in your mouth. Whatever your function is, we need you in that place. Together we are a whole. Perform your role to the best of your ability, take it seriously and do it gladly.

Paul goes to say, “Don’t just pretend to love others, really love them”.

• Love is an action.

• Love supports.

• Love gives, expecting nothing in return.

• Love responds when there is a need.

• Love holds your hand.

• Love sits with you quietly.

• Love lifts you up when you’re feeling down.

• Love expresses itself in a myriad of ways.

When you know something is wrong don’t support it, in fact, Paul says to hate what is wrong. Hate the sin but love the sinner. It’s important to be able to separate the person from their actions. That’s how you love the unlovable.

Honor one another, it’s OK to honor someone, in fact we are told to give honor where honor is due, because a laborer is worthy of his hire.

Eww, here’s one right here. Never be lazy, work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Slothfulness is one of the seven deadly sins. Now, to work hard does not mean you have to be at the church every time the doors open. What it does mean, is if you’re going to do it, do it right, do it well, and do it with joy. Don’t do it grudgingly, complaining the whole time or expecting glory when it’s done.

Pray for one another. Prayer changes things. I’m a witness. Sidenote: If you don’t journal your prayers now, you may consider doing that so you can chronicle when God moves on your behalf. It can be an encouragement knowing that God is working things out for you and a reminder for you to say thank you.

When trouble comes, and it will, be patient and keep praying. When your brother or sister is in need, be ready to help. If you’re the one that needs the help, don’t be afraid to ask, but also, don’t take advantage of another’s kindness.

Here’s a toughy, pray for those who persecute you, pray for God to bless them and do it sincerely. Mean it when you pray, so that when it happens you won’t get upset or be jealous. You can rejoice with and for them.

Can you celebrate your brother or sister’s accomplishment, victory, deliverance as if it was your own? Can you mourn with them when they are mourning? Paul tells us to live in harmony. I have expressed to people before, I’ll mourn with you tonight, but I’m going to need you to rejoice with me in the morning. Not as a requirement, but as a way of encouragement, because the Bible says, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Paul revisits our opinion of ourselves telling us, don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people and don’t think you know it all. It’s better to sit back, watch, listen, and pray, before you try to change a situation or program. It goes back to knowing the whole process.

Then Paul tells us, payback is not up to you, don’t return evil for evil. Our former and favorite first lady had a mantra, when they go low we go high. It was one that I’m sure was repeated numerous times in their eight-year presidency in an environment whose primary goal was to make sure they failed.

There will be those whose only goal is to destroy you. Pray for them, do your part to live in peace with them. Represent God in the way you live. Let your light so shine, that others may see your good work and glorify the Father which is in heaven.

Revenge, leave that to God, because when he does it, it is just, it is complete, and it is for a purpose. If your enemies, now I need to tell you right here you will have enemies. There are going to be those who are against you, don’t work against them, Paul says, do something different instead.

The world would go after them. The world would try to administer payback, but remember the first part of this chapter? We are no longer like the world, we are transformed, our minds are renewed. We are in the image and likeness of God. We are able to let go and let God.

So, in light of that, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.” We’re different.

• Act like it

• Talk like it

• Live like it

• Walk like it

• Love like it

When you present your bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable; when you’re no longer conformed to the world; when your mind is transformed, when it’s renewed…your life looks a whole lot different.

• You can find joy, when all others see is sorrow

• You can be at peace, when the storms of life are raging

• You can show love, when hate abounds

• You can patiently wait on God

• You can show kindness, when others are persecuting you

• You can display generosity, when others are being greedy

• You can express self-control, when others are insecure and acting rashly

• You can let go and let God

It’s a choice we make, and we must make it every day. When we wake up in the morning, we must make a conscience decision that we are going to follow Christ today, this day.

Remember, Paul wrote this letter is to the believer, that one that has already given their heart to God, now Paul says to present your bodies. Yes you can love God with your whole heart, yet not give him your body to do with what He will.

When you give God your body…

• He can do miracles, through you

• He can change lives, through you

• He can heal others, through you

• He can bless others, through you

When you present your bodies, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God the things that can happen are limitless.

We serve a God who can do anything but fail. What do you need God to do in your life? What do you need repaired, replaced, reconstructed, revived, reconciled, or resurrected?

God can do it. If you will just let go and let God, He can and will do great things for you and you and yes, even you.

Are you a believer? Is letter for you? If you’re not a believer you can change that today. All it takes is a request, all it takes is a pray.

Lord God, I confess I’m a sinner, I believe Jesus is Your Son and he came to save me from my sins. Jesus please come into my heart, I give you my life. In Your name I pray, amen.

It’s that simple, if you prayed that prayer for the first time, welcome to the family. Email us and let us know so we can pray with you and now find a Bible believing, Bible teaching church to connect with, we will help you with that also.

If you live in the Douglasville, GA area we’d love to see you here at 3500 Hwy 5, Ste 101.

Let go and let God, his plan is better than anything you could ever imagine.