This post is part of a series from the book Man of God by Octavius Winslow.

“But first gave their own selves to the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 8:5

It is not only the design, but it is the effect of the gospel of Christ in the heart of man to diffuse itself. Implanting a new principle of love, and subjugating the renewed powers of the soul to the glory of God, the believer from that moment ceases to be his own. If our professed religion has not done this, it has done but little for us. There was this great distinguishing characteristic in the religion of these Corinthians, notwithstanding the many defects of some and the unholy walk of others (for, though the most gifted, they were the least sanctified of all the apostolic churches), it is recorded that before they gave themselves to one another in church fellowship, they first gave themselves to the Lord.

Read the rest of this post at The Man of God Blog.