Return to the Devotionals page.
Samson, Jonah, and King Uzziah were all servants of God who accomplished great things through Him, respectively defeating countless Philistines, leading the Ninevites to repentance, and bringing great prosperity, fame, and safety to Judah. Despite their major triumphs, these men did not live fully surrendered lives before God, with Samson fornicating with pagan women, Jonah attempting to flee his calling, and Uzziah attempting to illegally burn incense. These sins resulted in Samson being enslaved and blinded, Jonah nearly losing his life, and Uzziah being dethroned and isolated from receiving leprosy.
Like these three men, many of us hold onto attitudes, agendas, and even sins that prevent us from surrendering our whole lives to Christ. This fleshly behavior is spiritually devastating because it causes us to stray from God's will, grieve and quench the Holy Spirit, and miss opportunities for eternal rewards. To continually honor Christ and receive all He desires to bless us with, it is critical we understand the necessity of giving Him our entire lives.
One reason for this is God fully owns our lives. For example, Romans 11:36, 1 Corinthians 8:6, and Colossians 1:16 declare how all things in heaven and earth were not only created by Him, but also for Him. Revelation 4:11 also notes that because He created us, He is worthy of our honor and glory. Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 note that we as believers are not our own because Christ purchased our salvation with His life and His Holy Spirit resides in us as His temple. Additionally, Romans 6:22 and 1 Corinthians 7:22 note how Christ freeing us from sin through this purchase makes us his bondservants. Thus, we owe Christ our entire lives because He created us for His glory, purchased our lives with His own, and freed us from sin to serve Him.
Second, Christ also owns all we have. For example, Deuteronomy 8:18, 10:14, and 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 note that because God created all things, including the strength and possessions we have, they all belong to Him. James 1:17 also notes how everything we have is the result of God's good and generous hand in our lives. Furthermore, Matthew 25:23 and 1 Peter 4:10 note how God has charged us to steward what He has given us for His glory and others' benefit. Additionally, 1 John 2:15-17 and James 4:4 command us to not live for the things of this world, for doing so places us in opposition of God and His will. Thus, wholeheartedly serving Christ requires seeing all we have as His, using it through godly stewardship, and ensuring we never idolize it.
Finally, serving Christ requires completely surrendering our lives to Him. For example, Luke 14:26 and 33 note how we cannot live as Christ's disciples if anything or anyone takes precedence over Him. Also, Matthew 16:24 and Luke 14:27 declare that living in total denial of self is necessary to serve Him. Furthermore, Romans 12:1-2 note how total surrender to the Holy Spirit as a living sacrifice is necessary to have our mind renewed to discern God's will for us. Additionally, John 15:1-7 declare the absolute necessity of abiding in Christ for serving Him, for we can do nothing apart from Him. Thus, being effective servants for Him requires denying all things and self for Him, living in submission to the Holy Spirit, and abiding in Him every moment for our strength.
Although we cannot lose our salvation from not living in full surrender to Christ, it will lead us away from God’s will, outside of His providence, and into sins that can have severe, lasting consequences. Obeying Christ and receiving His best for us requires living with the understanding that He created and purchased our lives, owns all we have, and deserves our complete surrender to serve Him. Though living this way may cost us dearly in terms of earthly possessions, popularity, and relationships, it will not only protect us from sin’s devastating consequences but also allow God to abundantly bless us in this life and the one to come.
Return to the Devotionals page.