September 8, 2024
“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
Several questions come to mind when I think of “TOTAL Surrender!” The first thing I immediately think of is trusting God in every area of our lives which can be a challenge, especially the things we think we can handle on our own. God wants to be active in every aspect of our lives and He expects us to seek His knowledge, wisdom, and direction.
Have you ever been tempted to try to help God out? How did that work out for you? What does “total surrender” mean to you in the context of your walk with Christ? Can you think of a specific time when you had to surrender something important to God? How did that experience shape your faith?
When I think of total surrender, I believe Galatians 2:20 
sums it up because I see it as the goal of the Christian life can be summed up by: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Yesterday, I submitted a chapter to be part of an anthology, next month. I shared about one of my favorite authors Robert. Mulholland Jr. authored the book entitled “Shaped by the Word, The Power of Scripture and Spiritual Formation.” He emphasized a new way to read Scripture. A way that allows Scripture to shape your spiritual life and how it helps you to learn to listen to the voice of God in the Word of God. To move from informational reading to formational reading of the God’s Word. He emphasized giving up control over the text and allowing God to lead your reading and understanding. This concept literally changed my life. It was this book that shaped my whole frame of reference. This method of formational approach to reading God’s Word can bring you to a more vibrant relationship with God. Only through formational reading of the Bible will you find yourself shaped by the Word of God. He invites the reader to be still in God’s presence. He goes on to say for the reader to take a few moments to recollect ourselves in the presence of God and open our hearts and our minds and our beings to whatever God wants to do with us through His Word.
When I think of total surrender, I believe Galatians 2:20 sums it up because I see it as the goal of the Christian life and it can be summed up by this verse: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
What Scripture anchors your life when everything around you seems unfair and upside down? I love Luke 6:22-23 which says, “What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.” Such a life of surrender is pleasing to God, results in the greatest human fulfillment, and will reap ultimate rewards in heaven
What are Some Key Biblical Aspects of What it Means to Surrender to God?:
1. Completely Trust in God’s Plan: Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Surrendering begins with trust. To surrender means to stop trying to control every aspect of your life, instead trusting that God’s plan is perfect, even when it’s unclear to us. This requires us to let go of our own limited understanding and place our confidence in God’s wisdom and sovereignty.
2. Dying to Self: Luke 9:23. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Surrender involves a daily dying to self. Jesus calls His followers to let go of their personal agendas, pride, and selfish desires. Taking up the cross is symbolic of fully identifying with Christ’s sufferings and mission. It’s about putting God’s will above our own and following Christ, even when it involves sacrifice.
3 Yielding to the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:16-17. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.” True surrender involves yielding to the Holy Spirit’s work in your life. The desires of the flesh are in constant opposition to the things of God. Surrendering to God means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, actions, and decisions, and resisting the pull of worldly or fleshly temptations.
4. Obedience to God’s Will: Romans 12:1-2. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Surrender includes presenting yourself as a living sacrifice, fully available for God’s service. Obedience to God’s will transforms you and renews your mind, aligning your heart with His purpose. This ongoing transformation is part of the surrendered life.
5. Letting Go of Anxiety: 1 Peter 5:7. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Surrendering also involves releasing worry and anxiety. Instead of being weighed down by the cares of this world, you are called to trust God with every concern, knowing that He cares for you and is in control of every situation.
6. Acknowledging Christ’s Lordship: Philippians 2:9-11. “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Surrendering to God means acknowledging Jesus as Lord over every area of your life. It’s not just a verbal confession but a life lived in submission to His authority. Recognizing Christ’s lordship means aligning every decision, relationship, and pursuit under His rule.
7. Resting in God’s Grace: Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Surrendering involves resting in the grace and strength that God provides. It’s about releasing the burdens we carry, letting God’s grace fill us, and taking on His yoke, which is light and easy. This rest is the fruit of complete surrender, where you no longer strive in your own strength.
What Daily Practices Help You Cultivate a Surrendered Heart Towards God?
Surrendering to God, biblically speaking, means fully yielding your will, desires, and life to God’s control, trusting in His wisdom, and aligning yourself with His divine purpose. This act of surrender is a core principle of Christian discipleship, requiring humility, faith, and the willingness to let go of self-reliance in favor of reliance on God’s grace and guidance.
HEART 
CHALLENGE: God demands that we surrender the totality of ourselves to HIM! He demands that we surrender the totality of ourselves; He does not want part of us but ALL of us. Romans 6:13 reminds us “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness.” Jesus said to His followers in Mark 8:34 “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”
T
he heartbeat of total surrender and the Christian life is not about living our best for God, it is about dying to self and about Christ living in us. Our great weakness in serving Christ in self-confidence. The choice is simple: either we deny self, or we deny Christ!
A SURRENDERED HEART: Surrendering to God biblically is a profound and transformative act of relinquishing control, trusting in His plan, submitting to His will, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you. It involves letting go of pride, self-reliance, and the need for control, embracing Christ’s lordship in every area of life, and resting in the peace and grace that God offers. This surrender is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your Word that provides us with clear instructions on how we are to totally surrender ALL to You. Help us to open the depths of our lives to You and heal us of our need to control and practice daily surrender. Help us to walk in the fullness of who You are Father, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.
References: Logos Bible Software; The Holy Scriptures; Robert. Mulholland Jr. “Shaped by the Word, The Power of Scripture and Spiritual Formation.”