Wednesday, October 5, 2022

             In Romans 12, Paul wrote about a “surrendered life.”  As followers of Christ, we surrender ourselves to Him in faith, trust and discipleship.  To live a “surrendered life” means that we submit ourselves to the Lord and pursue His ways above our wishes.  Romans says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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” (Romans 12:1-2).  When we consider Paul’s words, we see a few lessons that speak to us as we live in a surrendered way.
            First, surrendering ourselves to Christ is a form of worship.  We elevate Him above ourselves.  We exalt His ways above our ways.  We make it clear that He is Lord and we are His people.  Worship involves bringing everything to the Lord and holding back nothing.  We acknowledge that life is best lived through a trust-relationship with the Lord.  Second, when we surrender ourselves to the Lord, we are not living in conformity to the ways of the world.  We live in stark contrast to the world.  We choose the Lord above the treasures of this world.  You may recall when Satan tempted Jesus that the enemy offered our Lord the kingdoms of this world if only our Lord would bow before the enemy.  But Jesus refused.  The best treasures and most valuable possessions of this world can in no way exceed our relationship with the Lord.  At times, we simply have to draw a line and declare that we belong to the Lord and we will yield to Him.
            Third, to be surrendered involves a change in the mind or in the way we think.  Because we are sinners by nature and choice, our mind will pursue that which is sinful and wrong.  The mind has to be changed and transformed by God’s grace. We want to fill our minds with good things like God’s Word.  Remember how Paul instructed us to renew or change our minds: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).  When we surrender to the Lord, we begin to see the world as He sees it.  We begin to look for Him each day rather than the things that could capture, control or tempt us. 
            And fourth, to be a surrendered follower of Christ means we are going to look for and choose His will.  Even when it is difficult, unpopular and demanding, we will choose His will above our will.  To make this choice is not always easy.  And, often, we fail to make that choice.  So, we repent, we confess and we seek His will as we should.  Remember how Jonah ran from God’s clear directive to him.  But then Jonah came back to do what was the right thing in the first place.  We have all had our “Jonah moments.”  Pray today for God’s grace and strength to live a surrendered life and to leave at His feet the things that are not worth pursuing, chasing or attracting into your life.  Give us all that is wrong and exchange it for the joy the Lord offers when we surrender to Him.  Have a great Wednesday!  Join us tonight for a full schedule of activities.  And remember you can share our worship at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.