The Power of a Surrendered Life

Posted on November 26, 2006

 

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Romans 12:1-2

Surrender has never been a popular idea. Some of you may remember what happened on April 9, 1942 during World War II. It has gone down in history as the Bataan Death March. It was a day when 70,000 Philipino and U. S. soldiers surrendered to the Japanese. On the 85 mile journey many soldiers were beaten randomly, starved to death, or executed for signs of weakness. Japan disdained surrender.

The idea of surrender is not popular now either, and is usually associated with weakness or a lack of honor.

In God’s economy, however, surrender is the only way we can be saved!

Surrender Terms…

1.         Live in total devotion. (v. 1)

It is not about our ability, but about our availability. There should be no aspect of our lives held in reserve. We must be totally devoted and fully surrendered.

A.         Our bodies are to be His. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

B.         Our minds are to be His.

C.         Our whole being is to be His. (Matthew 22:37)

2.         Dare to be different. (v. 2a)

Rom. 12:2 by J. B. Phillips, “Do not let the world squeeze you into its mold.”

            1 Pet. 2:9

“Don’t be a copy, be brand new.”

·         Refuse humanism

·         Refuse materialism

·         Refuse atheism

·         Refuse hedonism

·         Refuse asceticism/legalism

·         Refuse antinomianism/liberalism

3.         Fully embrace God’s direction. (v. 2b)

            The will of God…

·         Is good – is meant for our ultimate benefit.

·         Is acceptable – is undeniably easy to agree with.

·         Is perfect – is complete, encompassing all of life.

The will of God is discovered by fully surrendering our lives to Him. As we surrender, then we know. As we “prove” or “test” what is God’s will by living through life, we learn to follow His path for us more fully.

Are you fully surrendered?

I am a Disciple of Jesus

Author Unknown

I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or back away.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His Presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, preached up, for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus!

I must go ’til He comes, give ’til I drop, preach ’til all know, and work ’til He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me; my banner will be clear. I am a disciple.