Vital signs- Thursday, April 7th, 2022
The Practice of Surrender
Paul's moment of surrender occurred on the road to Damascus after he was knocked down by blinding light. For others, less drastic methods are needed to get our attention. Regardless, surrendering is never just a one-time event. Paul said, "I die daily." (1 Corinthians 15:31 NASB) There is a moment of surrender and there is the practice of surrender. The practice of surrender requires perseverance. It is moment-by-moment and lifelong. You may have to re-surrender your life fifty times a day: "If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives [daily] to follow me." (Matthew 16:24 NCV) The question was once asked Campus Crusade for Christ founder Bill Bright, "Why did God use and bless your life so much?" He said, "When I was a young man I made a contract with God. I literally wrote it out and signed my name at the bottom. It said "From this day forward, I am a slave of Jesus Christ.'" Have you signed a contract like that with God? Or, are you still arguing and struggling with God over his right to do with your life as he pleases? It is time to surrender - to God's grace, love, and wisdom.
“I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”
I Corinthians 15:31 NKJV