We often think about surrender in negative terms.
For example, we’ve all experienced the kind of surrender that feels forced—and perhaps, to a lesser extent, the surrender that flows from gratitude. Which brand of surrender dominates our lives dictates the degree to which we have peace and satisfaction or…anxiety and fear.
For example, I have often thought, “I guess I have to give this behavior or habit up because the Bible says it’s wrong.” But when I have God’s perspective, I think, “Why would I hold on to something that nailed Jesus to the cross? Sin may look appealing, but it always causes destruction!”
True surrender is the difference between clinging to control of your life and trusting the One who gave His life for you. It’s the difference between turning from sin because you’re afraid of consequences, and turning from it because you see what it cost Christ and…the ruin it will ultimately bring to you.
Forced surrender is driven by guilt and pressure; grateful surrender is motivated by the experience of God’s presence.
And when we truly understand what Jesus has done for us, surrender stops feeling like something God is taking from us—and starts feeling like the only right response we should ever give. When we are born again, our souls and spirits are made alive in Christ. We belong to God’s Kingdom and are brought under His rule, which sounds costly until we realize what an actual privilege it is. Paul entreated early believers:
“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.” Romans 12:1
Notice the order: “by the mercies of God.” This is not a demand rooted in fear; it’s a response to receiving mercy. Our service is “reasonable” because Christ’s sacrifice was beyond the bounds of human generosity!
So, after our souls and spirits belong to Christ, how much of our “bodies” should we give?
In the Old Testament, you will not find even one sacrifice that did not require the death of the animal. There were no halfway animal sacrifices. The priests sacrificed the life of the animal, not just a leg or an ear. Sin has a high cost. The entire lamb was offered, and nothing was held back. That’s the picture Paul is drawing. Not part of our lives—all of it.
Our body.
Our habits.
Our desires.
Every daily decision.
The Bible makes it clear that every area of our lives should be completely set apart for God.
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19
“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20
This touches everything:
Our time.
What we watch or listen to.
What we say.
What we think about.
Our sex life.
Our entertainment.
How we spend our money and use our resources.
There are no “off-limits” areas in a life surrendered to Christ because we were created for a Divine purpose—God’s glory!
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do ALL to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
This is where we often get surrender wrong. You see, God is not taking something from us; He’s inviting us into something better. After all, who better to control our lives than an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, loving, and wise God??? And yet, He does not control us through force. His Lordship is through love. And the more we understand what Christ has done for us, the more we desire to surrender.
Gratitude toward God changes our attitude of surrender!
Grudging sacrifice feels like loss; grateful sacrifice feels like privilege. Our obedience to God is not meant to come from negative pressure, but from love. Jesus made it clear, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), demonstrating that obedience is the natural response of the heart that truly knows Him. We are not trying to earn His favor; we are responding to it. The Bible makes it clear that “we love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) The more we love Him, the more His love begins to be the motivation for all we think, say, and do, so that even His commands no longer feel like a burden, but a privilege. The Bible reminds us, “His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)
Instead of resisting Christ, we find ourselves compelled by a love so deep that we never want to compromise it with sin.
Then surrender stops feeling like obligation and starts feeling like the only reasonable response to Christ. That’s why Paul calls it “reasonable service.” This is where that powerful statement made by the late Jimmy Draper is so fitting: “Lord, the answer is yes. Now what was the question?”
Our “yes” to God in every area of our lives places us in a position to be most greatly blessed by God because we are choosing HIS freedom over the slavery of sin.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy toward me. Thank You that my soul and spirit belong to You, made alive in Christ. Lord, I confess that too often I hold parts of my life back. I offer You pieces when You are worthy of everything. Lord, help me to see that surrender is not a burden; it is my privilege. You gave everything for me. You held nothing back. I don’t want to live a divided life. I present my body to You as a living sacrifice—my thoughts, my actions, my time, my desires, my decisions. All of it belongs to You. Teach me to live in daily surrender. When I’m tempted to take control back, remind me of Your goodness and Your love. Let gratitude shape my obedience. Lord, the answer is yes. Now show me the question. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
