We are not our own bosses to live or die as we
ourselves might choose. Living or dying we follow the Lord. Either way
we are his. Romans 14:7-8 (LB)
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The paradox of surrender is that it produces power and victory.
Stubborn temptations and overwhelming problems can be defeated by
Christ when handed over to him.
As Joshua approached the biggest battle of his life, he encountered
God, fell in worship before him, and surrendered his plans. That
surrender led to a stunning victory at Jericho.
Surrender doesn’t weaken you, it strengthens you. When you
are surrendered to God, you don’t have to fear or surrender to anything
or anyone else. The founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth, once
said, “The greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.”
Why surrender?
Because you belong to your Creator. God has a right to direct
your life: “We are not our own bosses to live or die as we ourselves
might choose” (Romans 14:7 LB). “Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He
made us, and we are his. We are his people …” (Psalm 100:3 NLT).
Because Christ bought you with his sacrifice. The Bible says,
“And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for
themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised” (2
Corinthians 5:15 HCSB).
When you surrender to Christ, you fulfill the very purpose he died
for – not just to save you from hell, but also to save you from
self-centeredness!We Christians do not live for ourselves, but for our
Savior.
“At one time you surrendered yourselves entirely as slaves to
impurity and wickedness for wicked purposes. In the same way you must
now surrender yourselves entirely as slaves of righteousness for holy
purposes” (Romans 6:19 TEV).
Because God modeled it first. He took the initiative,
surrendering Jesus for our benefit. “For God so loved the world that he
gave his only Son …” (John 3:16 NAB).
Our surrender is the only reasonable response to that kind of love. You cannot love Christ without surrendering to him.
Thank you for this. I really needed to read this today. You are a blessing.
- jsskye99
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