Surrender

Romans 6:13 says, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his ‎servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto ‎righteousness?”‎    

Since humanity's transgression in the Garden of Eden, sin has permeated the world, resulting in our sinful nature. This nature stands in opposition to God, seeking dominance over all aspects of life. Initially, when we commit ourselves to God, we respond to the Holy Spirit's call towards salvation. However, this journey does not conclude at that moment; to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, ongoing surrender is essential throughout our lives.

I have recently faced numerous challenges, even being scammed. In my distress, I turned to the Lord in tears, yet I permitted feelings of worthlessness to overwhelm me. Primarily, I lacked the full armor of God during these experiences. I did not adhere to the Lord's guidance and neglected to surrender these difficulties and trials to Him.

James 2-8, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

I have found myself being wavering and double-minded, which has undoubtedly contributed to my feelings of depression and the sense of being under constant attack from various fronts. This realization has prompted a desire for change; I no longer wish to remain in this tumultuous state. Acknowledging that perfection is unattainable for any of us, I understand the importance of confessing my struggles to Jesus and moving forward, leaving my past behind. It is essential to embrace a fresh start and commit to following Him wholeheartedly. This is not a one-time endeavor but a daily practice, as our human nature stands in opposition to the divine will of God.

Today, I engaged with a devotional that discussed the concept of fasting, involving abstaining from food, social media, television, and other distractions. However, what resonated most with me was a particular quote from Adele Ahlberg Calhoun: “Through self-denial, we begin to recognize what controls us.” From an early age, I have been instructed to dedicate everything to God and to embrace the concept of being "crucified with Christ," as expressed in Galatians 2:20. However, maintaining this mindset daily proves to be challenging. Our inherent, stubborn nature often seeks to retain control. Upon hearing that quote, I felt the Holy Spirit prompt me with the question, "What are you willing to sacrifice for Me?" This resonated deeply within me. I began to reflect on the activities and passions I cherish. Am I truly prepared to relinquish them for the sake of Jesus? I reminded myself that none of these pursuits can rival the profound joy that comes from fully surrendering to Him.

 As I prepared to write this, I found myself tempted to engage in my favorite computer game. However, I opted to delve deeper into this subject and follow God's guidance. Surrendering to God entails embracing a victorious life in Christ, which fosters peace and joy. As Shana Schutte says, “Surrender isn’t about giving up; it’s about giving in to the One who knows best for us, to the One who knows us most and has a good, good plan.  Surrender is the only real way to experience His peace. It’s the only way to true joy.” By resisting the urge to play my game, I was rewarded with peace, joy, and gratitude to our Father for guiding me back into the fold.

The best example of surrender is our Lord Jesus Christ. Everything He did was in obedience to the Father. I found notes my great-grandmother, Honor Nester, wrote from a sermon by Bro. Miller in 1964. “Jesus learned obedience here by the things He suffered. He had a self-will. He had to deal with it. The garden experience showed His battle: Matthew 26:39 ‘And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’”

John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”

My great-grandmother continued to write, “As we come into the court, we are kings and priests. Man is then called to meet these sacrifices which are based on the word or law of God. As we apply the word of God to our lives, certain things happen. If we want peace, we love God’s law. Psalm 19:165, ‘Great peace have they that love Thy law.’ We can set our affections on God It is natural for our thoughts to go gutterward, but we can take them and rebuke them and cast them down and set our affections on heavenly things. It takes great effort, but we must do it.”

In another sermon from Bro. Miller in 1964, she writes, “What is righteousness? (rightness) The world doesn’t want it. The Lord said in Matthew 6:33 ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ He will give, heaped up and running over. Righteousness is to do the will of God… The foundation cleanses. The government of God is set forth in Jesus Christ. As we give ourselves completely over to Him, He will cleanse us. If we love Him, we will keep His commands. After the grain is reaped, the door is shut, and he that is filthy will be filthy still. Love is not emotion, it is devotion. Whom, having not seen, we love. We seek out to know what His mind is in the thing, then we will do it. Jesus’ meat was to do the will of the Father. Righteousness is to God’s will; it is well to know what His will is!”

Surrendering to God involves a profound commitment to sacrifice and adherence to His teachings. It means entrusting our problems, anxieties, and fears into His hands, allowing Him to take control of our lives. This act of surrender also encompasses being receptive to the guidance and correction of the Holy Spirit, who leads us toward a path of righteousness. Each day presents us with a critical decision: do we choose to succumb to sin, which ultimately leads to destruction, or do we opt for a life of obedience that aligns with God's will? This choice is not a one-time event but a continuous commitment we must make at every moment of our lives, reflecting our dedication to living in accordance with divine principles. Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”