Surrender (5)

Friday November 29, 2013

When we finally surrender to the care of God it’s up to us to decide if we want what is offered through Jesus. Do we actually want healing for past wounds or do we want to remain a victim so we can avoid the hard work of taking responsibility for how we live today? Do we really want forgiveness to offer to those who’ve wronged us or, do we want to hang onto our resentments and bitterness? Do we really want to enter into our new life of relationship with God and others or, do we want to hang onto our independent self-centered way of dealing with things? We have to let go of the old in order to make space for the new. That’s true surrender to life on God’s terms.

He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. (John 1:10-14 NLT)

Many people who come to Jesus want to have their past sins forgiven and the painful consequences healed and removed. However, they struggle to make an ongoing commitment to what they say they want. They drift back and forth in and out of recovery and just can’t seem to “get it” or “maintain it.” They wonder what’s missing and why God doesn’t hear their cry for help and give them a new life. The fact is that God’s word is true and God declares that He honours His word for His own name’s sake.

I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. (Psalm 138:2 NLT)

New life is freely offered, but there is only one way to receive it – through complete and ongoing surrender of our heart, soul and mind to God. In every situation, we choose God’s way. On a daily basis we allow God’s word to direct, control and guide our knowledge of things, what we do, where we go, and what we desire. Over and over and over again we surrender our understanding of life practices to God and submit in complete obedience to His word and His way. We allow sinful thoughts and intentions to be eradicated. We embrace new ideas and the principles of the Living God to fill our minds and hearts.

o get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. (James 1:21-22 NLT)