March 21, 2013
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Surrender is Not an option!
Romans 12 Amplified Bible (AMP) verse 1: "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship."
This verse was the cornerstone of discussion at the Wednesday Night Bible study which I attended last night. Again and again I heard others describe their moments of "surrender" when they fully submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. But the concept of "surrender" does not appear in this verse!
When I decided to go "all in" following and obeying the Lord Jesus Christ, it was after I finally realized Who He is! The Creator of the Universe and Lover of my Soul. I presented my whole self to Him because I knew at last I could not possibly go wrong with that decision. I didn't surrender. I enlisted. I volunteered. Etc. And He proves to me that I was right every day, sometimes several times in a day!
Can I get an amen? Or do you not agree?
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Comments (2)
I'm not sure just what struck you about the testimonies you heard in that discussion; but what strikes me is that the first verse does not stand alone. Verse two tells us that the renewing and transformation of our mind is spoken of in the passive mode. God does the transforming according to His will; and as stated elsewhere the end result is shaped according to the Lord Jesus. That is the work He is continuing in us until That Day which is to come.
Our part, as I see it, is to recognize His sovereignty over us and to agree to His ownership and right to our bodies, minds, and spirits. If someone sees that as a surrender, it means that they may only just now have come to that realization by the Holy Spirit. Maybe this is a matter of semantics rather than theology.
@quest4god@revelife - I think you are exactly right, My Brother; so I edited the post. Our lesson plan was limited to the first verse alone, and I was left feeling that many in the room were given the wrong understanding of it. Thanx much for your comment.
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