Render unto God the things that are God’s

I have learned that everything Christ says has multiple layers of significance. This is one reason it's so important to study the scriptures regularly, and prayerfully. Depending on where we are in life and what we specifically need, there is always something new and relevant for us to learn. An example of this is in Matthew 22. The Pharisees are trying to trick Jesus by asking him if it is lawful to give tribute to Caesar. He answers by showing them a coin and telling them to "render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s".
To take that a little deeper, in the scriptures we learn we are created in the image of God... not in the image of Caesar or some other random person. We are God's. And Jesus tells us in Matthew 22 that we should render ourselves unto Him. I looked up the definition of render. It has two meanings.
1. provide or give.
2. cause to be or become; make.

I love that second definition... we can actually become or be made into something much, much greater than we are now. And how do we do that? By providing our whole hearts, by giving up the things that aren't of God. This scripture reminded me of a chapter in the Book of Mormon that I always go to when I want to evaluate myself. Alma 5. Verse 14 in particular asks some poignant questions. "Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" Questions like these help us to see if we really are rendering ourselves unto God.

I know that it is possible for us to become like our Heavenly Father. Jesus showed us that. And we have many other examples of lives of service and consecration. One Brother Griffin mentioned is John R. Moyle. He walked 22 miles to the site of the Salt Lake Temple every week to help with the construction. Then he lost his leg. Then he made a new one and again walked 22 miles every week so that he could carve "Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord" on the temple walls. So yes, it is possible. It definitely isn't always the easy way, but it is the best way.