TOTAL SURRENDER
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.
Galatians 2:20 (NLT)
It’s beautiful to read the Gospels and see all the lives Jesus transformed. He restored sight to the blind. He healed the sick. He cured paralysis. He raised the dead. He welcomed outcasts and social misfits. John tells us that He did so much that writing it all down would be impossible (John 21:25). In Jesus, these people found the compassion of God and an invitation to a better Way.
Jesus is still in the business of transforming lives. When we enter relationship with Him, our old selves are laid to rest, and we begin new life in Him. I have always loved how Paul says it in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT): This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
In Christ, you are not who you once were. You are a new person. Hallelujah— glory to God! He is not just Savior, but Lord. This means He calls the shots and charts our path. All our life is about Him. And He has given us the Comforter, His Holy Spirit, to live inside of us and guide us.
Consider the lyrics of the classic hymn, I Surrender All: All to Jesus I surrender… All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him… In His presence daily live All to Jesus I surrender… Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken… Take me, Jesus, take me now
May we live wholly surrendered to the One who is worthy of our worship.
APPLICATION: We’re transformed in our surrender. Take stock once again— is there anything you’re still holding back from Him? Ask Him to help you release it. Then take some time to listen to I Surrender All and make that your prayer.
PRAYER: God, help me to surrender and submit wholly to Your Will. Reign sovereignly in me. Help me to surrender all to You daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?