March 17th

The Full Surrender

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Unconditional surrender. It's a term of the battlefield that no one wants to have demanded of them.

It means that you give up all of your rights, all of your desires, and any hope of your interests being taken care of. It means throwing yourself completely upon the mercy of your captor, your conqueror, the one who has vanquished you.

And, depending on your perspective, it is an unfortunate thing that God demands of us, because His terms of our unconditional surrender are dire. He wants nothing short of our very lives. He wants us to die.

But forget your selfish desires to control your own life for a moment and think this through. Everyone has to die, but Jesus has given us a choice. In dying in our place, He has offered us the chance to say with Paul, I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

We have the incredible opportunity to count ourselves to have already died with Jesus on the cross. And while we still have the rest of our days on this earth to live in the flesh, we can begin to live with the life of Christ Jesus inside of us.

This life goes far beyond the experience of an unredeemed person's life, the life lived without Jesus. Our life with Jesus is the abundant life that will overflow into eternity!

It is a deal that we will not receive from anyone else, but the terms of our surrender remain the same. We cannot partially become living sacrifices. It is all or nothing. In or out.

The question that faces us today is this-will you allow Jesus to conquer you? Will you accept His terms of unconditional surrender? Will you unreservedly give your life over to Him and allow Him to live His life through you?

The abundant life of Jesus is waiting for you. Say yes to Him today.

Prayer Lord Jesus,

Thank You that You are merciful when I throw myself upon Your grace! I choose today to offer myself in unconditional surrender to You. Please take my life and begin to live Your life through me now and for the rest of my days!

Amen