Although the Law of God contains a perfect rule of conduct 

admirably arranged, it has seemed proper to our divine Master to 

train his people by a more accurate method, to the rule which is 

enjoined in the Law; and the leading principle in the method is, 

that it is the duty of believers to present their "bodies a living 

sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is their reasonable 

service," (Rom. 12: 1.) Hence he draws the exhortation: "Be not 

conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of 

your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and 

perfect will of God." The great point, then, is, that we are 

consecrated and dedicated to God, and, therefore, should not 

henceforth think, speak, design, or act, without a view to his 

glory. What he hath made sacred cannot, without signal insult to 

him, be applied to profane use. But if we are not our own, but the 

Lord's, it is plain both what error is to be shunned, and to what 

end the actions of our lives ought to be directed. We are not our 

own; therefore, neither is our own reason or will to rule our acts 

and counsels. We are not our own; therefore, let us not make it our 

end to seek what may be agreeable to our carnal nature. We are not 

our own; therefore, as far as possible, let us forget ourselves and 

the things that are ours. On the other hand, we are God's; let us, 

therefore, live and die to him (Rom. 14: 8.) We are God's; 

therefore, let his wisdom and will preside over all our actions. We 

are God's; to him, then, as the only legitimate end, let every part 

of our life be directed. O how great the proficiency of him who,

taught that he is not his own, has withdrawn the dominion and 

government of himself from his own reason that he may give them to 

God!  [Institutes—Vol 3, chapter 8]