
What better metaphor for surrender than one found in scripture itself?
John 15:5-8 NIV “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Branches of a vine will not live if removed from the source. Christ says to stay connected to Him; surrender is the answer. If not, your work is worthless.
What is involved in surrendering to Jesus Christ? These points are for discussion:
- First and Most Important Step
- Trust Comes Before Surrender
- Be Transformed
- Submit in prayer
- While You are Waiting
- Conclusion
First and Most Important Step
Why do we surrender?
John 3:16 NIV “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Your first point of surrender is accepting God’s gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Why? Because He died in your place for your sin. Who else would or could do that? That in itself should be enough for you to surrender all of your life.
Luke 9:23 NIV “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'”
When you come to know Jesus Christ as your Savior, He wants you to become His follower. In that process, you deny yourself and surrender to Him.
Trust Comes Before Surrender
Your Trust
At the point of your salvation, you are submitting to Jesus Christ, both for eternal life and walking with Him. The key to surrender is trust.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- Trust in Jesus Christ with all of your heart.
- Don’t give it back and do it your way.
- Submitting includes every area of your life.
- Reward for submitting — He directs your life.
Colossians 3:17 NIV “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
When you trust in Jesus Christ, your focus should be on doing all things in His name. Surrender is giving up your will to Him. Why? Because He is God and knows what is the best way.
Be Transformed
God’s Purpose for His Children
Romans 8:29 NIV “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
It has been God’s purpose for you from the beginning to become like His Son. What a privilege for Him to give. Jesus Christ is perfect and loving, a great example to follow.
Romans 12:2 NIV “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
As a Christian woman, you are not to follow the ways of the world. They are contrary to what the Lord teaches. The answer–renew your mind.
How do you do it? By reading God’s Word daily. That’s the only way to know what God wants.
Galatians 2:20 NIV “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Trusting and submitting to Jesus Christ means your life is lived by faith in Him. In exchange for your salvation, you give Him the lead in your life.
Submit in prayer
How Do You Find Him?
Jeremiah 29:12-13 NIV “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
When you seek God with all your heart in a genuine search, you will find Him. He will not hide from those who are looking for Him.
James 4:10 NIV “ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Going to the Lord with a prideful attitude will not gain His attention. Knowing you can’t solve your problems yourself is why you go to Him. Prayer is a very humbling experience.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This is such a comforting verse. What can we go to Him with? Everything. Nothing is too small. He’s ready for anything.
The most wonderful thing is the peace. A peace that is beyond human understanding. In your stress, God turns it into joy and peace, which guards your heart and mind.
While You are Waiting
Your Strength
Isaiah 40:31 NIV “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
When you are waiting on the Lord for an answer, remember that your hope lies in the Lord, and He’ll give you the strength to get through. Not a normal strength, but one that refreshes you. Trust Him.
Romans 8:28 NIV “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Why do you trust God in the first place? God’s Word, others’ witness, and your past experiences lend credibility to your trust in Him. He knows what is best; rest in that fact.
Conclusion
Some Practical Tips
As in the metaphor of the vine and branches, your strength to trust and submit to Jesus Christ lies in your keeping connected to Him.
When you are in a season of waiting on the Lord, here are some helpful tips to guide you.
- Trust He will help.
- Talk to Him in prayer and then leave it with Him.
- Read the Bible daily for strength.
- Memorize Romans 8:28.
- Request prayer from others.
- Talk to your pastor or a trusted friend.
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