Self vs Surrender
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me”. Mark 8:34 NKJV.
At the dawn of a new year, what better way to start it than in the place of surrender to the Lord.
This phrase has been rattling around in my mind these last few months, and I have mentioned it in previous Brief Words. It is this;
Self is always the Problem — Surrender is always the Answer.
So much of the issues we face, are from this source; self. We want. We desire. We yearn. We crave. There’s a battle going on between these things (which are actually not all bad) and the desire to please God and live in His will.
It’s a tough message this one of surrender, but I can vouch that when we do, life is far better.
The text for this Brief Word is packed with truth!
Follow the leader.
Jesus never asks us to do anything He has not done, go anywhere He has not gone, including death. That indeed is the characteristic of a leader who people will follow. But first comes the cross. No cross, no crown.
Deny self.
To deny self is not the same as self-denial. To deny self is to disown self. The Greek word for deny and deny himself occurs also of Peter’s denial of Jesus (Mark 14:72), where it denotes that he disowns Jesus. To disown oneself means forsaking ones selfish ambitions and worldly securities for the sake of Jesus and His call to obedience to God’s will.
Charles Spurgeon says, The spirit of selfishness must be driven out.
Take up our cross.
What He demanded that they face, (crucifixion, death) He too, was ready to face. Jesus had a right to call on us to take up a cross, for He Himself first borne one. — William Barclay.
Trouble and trial, difficulties and dire times are not a cross. The cross is death.
We must settle for a life into which the world’s favour and esteem do not enter. Only criminals going to execution (people from whom the world’s favour has been totally withdrawn) carried crosses in those days. This is how I am crucified to the world (Galatians 6:14).
There was a time when I was just married, and had a whole future ahead of me. A career beckoned in the motor trade, perhaps even my own business. Alongside that was a passion for motor racing. But also, a greater desire was in my heart, which was to obey God and be in His will. I just knew that I knew God had called me to let it all go, and obey Him and follow Him through life. I knew this would mean letting go of some pretty strong desires and passions. (Petrol-heads — motor racing fans and participants — are known for being fanatically committed to their sport).
But the desire to please God and follow His leading was strong too. God’s call and leading into pastoral ministry was clear. And I am pleased to say, I am glad I obeyed. I took my family, we left our home town and all our close friends and relatives, and relocated a six hour drive away. We had no home, no job, we hadn’t even checked to see if the church could afford to pay us a salary or not (and it didn’t at first). But it was the will of God, and I knew it.
Self was saying to me, what about that business idea, what about all the money to be made in that career, what about this and what about that? But obeying God, surrendering to His will brought a peace that truly passes all understanding.
Deep in the human makeup, is this capacity to rule. To be in charge. We read that Adam and Eve were created by God to rule, have authority, to control.
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26 NKJV (Emphasis added).
They were created to be like God in that they had the nature to be in charge. Their capacity, their ability, or default setting was one of ruling, having dominion. They had the command and commission to control. It was their prerogative to exercise pre-eminence over their realm. It was inbuilt into their DNA.
And guess what? We have been born with that same nature. That same DNA. That same capacity and potential.
The problem arises when we are expected to then submit. Surrender. Let go. What!? Let go? Surrender control? Submit when we’ve been designed for ruling?
There’s the problem. Without God, our self-nature wants only to control and be in charge and do it my way. But when God draws us to Himself, when He saves us and redeems us, we come to the One who has been through death and now really is in charge! He is the Lord. He is God! It’s hard to bring this self part of us to the Lord, and really surrender and submit and let it all go. Self is always the problem.
However, even in this struggle, God’s grace is right there, enabling us to do just that, to die to self and surrender all to Him. Surrender is always the answer.
Self is always the Problem — Surrender is always the Answer.
The only way to win this battle is if we die. Thanks be to God! A death has occurred. Jesus died in our place, and when we are united with Him in His death, we are united with Him in His life. (See Romans 6:1-14).
The absolute best thing we can do at the start of this new year, is to surrender. Let go. Give up all to the Lord. Let Him take control.
In terms of leadership this is a great key. We could say it like this; Submission is the apprenticeship of authority. (But that’s another leadership development story).
The goal of the Christian life can be summed up by this verse;
I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me. Galatians 2:20 NKJV.
Such a life of surrender is pleasing to God, results in the greatest human fulfilment, and will reap ultimate rewards in heaven.
Let go and let God. Surrender to the will of God. Give Him everything. God doesn’t just want 10% of our money. He wants everything we are and everything we’ve got.
There’s peace in that place of rest and submission. God’s voice comes to that place. God’s blessing, provision and leading is in that place.
It’s could be the hardest thing you’ll ever do but the greatest thing you’ll ever do.
