WHAT DOES SURRENDERING TO GOD MEAN?

We read the stories of Jesus—his joy, his resolute peace through uncertainty, His unanxious presence, his relaxed manner, and how in the moment he was—and think, I want that life. We hear his open invitation to “life…to the full” and think, “Sign me up.” We hear about his easy yoke and soul-deep rest and think, Gosh, yes, heck yes. I need that. But then we’re not willing to adopt his lifestyle. But in Jesus’ case, it is worth the cost.” – John Mark Comer.

Surrender is not a popular word in our culture today. We do not generally applaud submission. Surrender implies weakness to most people and evokes the unpleasant images of admitting defeat in battle, forfeiting a game, or yielding to a stronger opponent. The word is almost always used in a negative context. In today’s competitive culture, we are taught never to give up and never give in – so we don’t often hear much about surrendering. Studied in Scripture, however, surrender to the will of God is seen as the heart of worship. So how do you live with Jesus in the center of your life?

Listen to the Apostle Paul’s words: “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life” (Romans 6.13).

“Give yourselves completely to God.” Other versions put the same thought in different words: “yield yourself to God,” “offer yourselves to God,” and “present yourselves to God.” The key to living with Jesus at the center of your life is surrendering control to Him day by day and moment by moment.

Jesus lived a life of continual surrender to the Father. ”So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” (John 5:19). As He said to the Father when the time came to surrender His life, “I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Luke 22:42).

Walking with Jesus means continual surrender, trusting that the God who made you has a plan for you and loves you. You aren’t surrendering your God-given identity and uniqueness when you surrender to Christ. We surrender not for fear or threat but in the hope that the One to whom we surrender has a better life for us.

In surrender, God may—or may not—give us what we want. But when we surrender, He always wants to provide us with Himself. When we surrender, we always receive what is best: the Lord Jesus. When we surrender our lives, we give up ourselves minute by minute, day after day. We give up our will, fears, comfort, and control.

Surrender isn’t about giving up; it’s about giving in to the One who knows what is best for us, to the One who knows us most and has a perfect plan.

Discussion Questions:

What is an area of your life that you know you need to surrender to God?
What might you be giving up if you do surrender that area to God?
Do you believe that surrendering to God could benefit you? How?