Surrender and Submit

 
Isaiah 53:6a--All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way...

     We're all sinners. It is the one uniting factor between every living being; whether white or black, American or Asian, we have all gone astray and turned to our own way. But some have not stayed there. Some have chosen a different, a narrower path. They have chosen a path of true peace and joy; one where trials arise, but are never fought alone. A path where true, genuine fellowship is sought after and found; where victory over fleshly desires is not merely a dream, but a reality. What path have these few taken…one of surrender and submission.

     Surrender. Matthew 16:24 says, "...if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself..." The first step to peace comes through surrendering your all to the Lord, putting down your desires and taking up His. Repentance from your wandering and acknowledgement of your need for direction solicits forgiveness and guidance from above. Introduction to the narrow path comes through the gate of understanding that one truly gains life by choosing to lose it. Will you surrender your all to God today?

     Submit. James 4:7 says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." After you have surrendered your will, you must seek to obey all that He directs you to do. While difficult at times, mercy and grace are provided for those who seek it.(Hebrews 4:16) By listening to the voice of the Lord as He directs you through prayer and reading one is able to live a life where sin does not have dominion over them. What a blessed life of joy one can live, thanking the Lord for the victory He provided over anger, drunkenness, lust, and envy. Will you submit to His direction today?

     "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."(II Cor. 5:20) As an ambassador for Christ, I strongly desire all to come to repentance, so that times of refreshing can come.(Acts 3:19) I urge you, please surrender your life to the Lord and submit to His will today. Do not neglect His offer of giving us life and peace, knowing that you are not guaranteed another day. May God draw your heart to His.