The Surrendered Life
The Surrendered Life is about giving up control and coming to the end of self; dead works; efforts and good intentions. So that He can resurrect His Righteousness in us!
We all have precious memories of the times we would sing from the heart: “I Surrender All”, yet when those moments of surrender occur, we wish we could die!! The sobering truth is that there is “no GOOD in us” (Rom. 7:18), and we surely are the “greatest sinner of all”!
I always wondered why Paul would refer to himself this way, as the greatest sinner of all at the end of his life. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (1 Tim. 1:16). Paul’s journey of surrender started on the road to Damascus where a GOOD upright, theologian met with Truth, face to face. Thereafter Paul referred to himself as “the least of all the apostles” (1 Cor. 11:16). A couple of years later, he saw himself as “the least of all the saints” (Eph. 3:8).
Perception Change About GOOD
We live in a world where everyone is trying their best at doing good and being good! Yet, when a rich young ruler met Jesus: Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Mark 10:18).
The Greek for “good”: ἀγαθός agathós; fem. agathḗ, neut. agathón, adj. Good and benevolent, profitable, useful. Good, excellent, distinguished, best, of persons (Matt. 19:16, 17; Mark 10:17, 18; Luke 18:18, 19).
Good But Not Good Enough
So also, it was spoken of Saul, the first king of Israel: And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people (1 Sam. 9:2).
The things that look good to man are evil in the sight of God.
We never talk about hell, judgement or evil doing at funerals… momentary deeds of mankind seem to be good people deserving heaven!
When Jesus asked this man for proof of his good works, he quickly affirmed his obedience to the law. “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 10:21)
The higher calling to live more than merely a good life is: Taking up the cross and following Jesus – hence the surrendered life!
Jan Oosthuizen
This sacrifice was too much to swallow for this young successful good man! Jesus consequently remarked on how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom by providing a word picture – It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. (Matt. 19:24). The biggest animal cannot go through the smallest hole! THUS, A COMPLETE IMPOSSIBILITY!!
Later Jesus turned the message of utter condemnation to a message of faith in His righteousness: “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27).
Lord I Will Die for You!
Peter also made the same fleshly soulish remark: “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times (John 13:37-38).
The flesh cannot enter the Holiest of Holies!! Peter still had to come to the end of His own good works, his best intentions, his soulish efforts, and surrender all! In his fleshly zeal, he would betray Jesus and publicly denounce that he knows Him! He must have felt an utter failure after that surprising public denial! “So he went out and wept bitterly” (Matt. 26:75)
The surrendered life is about coming to the end of all your good works, efforts, and trying! Succumbing to end all intended dead works of self (Heb 6:2). When Jesus finally surrendered His life to the Father… after sweating blood… He also had to TRUST and BELIEVE in the Father that He will resurrect Him! Giving up all control!!
All Flesh had to be consumed in the sacrifice. “And you shall take the ram of the consecration and boil its flesh in the holy place” (Ex. 29:31).
Recently in a discussion with Dr Andre Pelser, I asked him for his unique observation of the state of the church and its leadership. His answer:
“I see a lot of arrogance, pride, competition and soulish shallowness, hollow windbags!”
André Pelser
Oh Lord, have mercy!!
Die To the Past
As we come to the end of 2023, we surrender all!! We did our best!! Like a snake shedding its old skin, we continue to shed the old man, as we are continually dressed in His righteousness. Paul understood this continual action as the only means towards a holy life consecrated to Him. When he lists the sinful acts and WORKS of the flesh, he counters it with the FRUIT of the Spirit. A tree does not work its fruit! It just bears what is inside!
Our new life in CHRIST is not based on dead works, fleshly soulish efforts, or good intentions! And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:24) We die to that old sinful nature!
Today we DIE to 2023! All its successes and failures!!
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you (Phil 3:12-15).