The message of surrender is not one that is heard
very often. It involves dying to self. This is not a popular theme in this era of
self-help, positive thinking and esteem building Christianity. Among these positive
sounding solutions, surrender sounds - well - negative. But, in reality, in matters of the
heart the only victory for a Christian is through surrender and dying to self.
How often are we admonished to STRIVE to be better Christians?
Striving can change our outward behavior, true. But when we strive to change our heart one
of two things happens. If we strive and succeed we become proud of our spiritual
accomplishment. If we strive and fail (which is most always the case) we are
self-condemning. In both instances self is at the center. But when we surrender, there is
no victory for us - nor is there failure.
It is like being in a boxing ring with the devil. When we strive to
overcome in matters of the heart, we attempt to do battle with the devil. Win or lose, we
have fought the battle. We will bask in the victory or wallow in defeat. Either way, the
devil wins because he knows that we did it in our flesh and our flesh is at enmity with
the Spirit of God. We are the focus of our efforts - win or lose! However, when we
surrender, we say to the devil, "You're right, I can't change my heart. I am too weak
to fight you. Instead I surrender. But not to you. Rather, I surrender to Christ, my
advocate, who will fight my battle for me." All of a sudden, the odds shift. Satan is
no match for Christ. As we surrender our worst to Christ it no longer becomes a tool of
Satan to be used against us.
To illustrate this point, imagine when you were a child and you did
something really bad. Your father knew you did it. He was just waiting for you to admit
the truth. Finally, because the guilt was overwhelming, you went to your father and
admitted to your bad deed. He wrapped his arms around you and said, "I already knew
you did it. I was just waiting for you to tell me the truth so I could help you make it
right." Oh the relief when you realized that he knew all the time and he loved you
anyway. Then along came your sister. She also knew what you had done and decided to get
some personal benefit out of it. She tried to blackmail you with her knowledge. What
freedom to look her in the eye and say, "Go ahead, I already told him and he still
loves me and he made it right." God KNOWS what is in our heart. The Bible makes this
very clear in Hebrews 4:12 - 13 where it states, "For the word of God is living and
active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul
and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of
the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and
laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." God knows every rotten
thought, every hurt, insecurity, jealousy, hateful or prideful thought. He is just waiting
for you to be honest with yourself and to give these burdens to Him. He will make it
right.
