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Surrender and obedience are integral concepts in Christian life. But given their modern connotations, which can be viewed negatively, how can people practice these in alignment with God’s will?
Unlike in Biblical times, God isn’t physically present to directly and immediately correct any erroneous behavior people may commit. He can’t preach His words to humanity, perform acts of miracles, or encourage everyone to believe and follow His footsteps.
This is where the scriptures come in and what the church is tasked to do.
In His stead, these serve to remind people how to live according to His will, to teach Christians what they must know and how to act to enter His kingdom.
However, there are instances when the church can be wrong, with the scriptures mistakenly interpreted. This may depend on which issues they’re discussing and how old-fashioned their beliefs are. But given these inaccuracies, how should people truly practice surrender and obedience?
Correcting What Can Be Wrong
Paul is a figure from the Bible known for what he contributed during his time.
Being chosen as a vessel, he showed and encouraged people to live a God-centered life, but in doing so, he also corrected what the then-church taught its people. Paul has urged the church to correct any false theology they’re preaching. He reminds them of how faith should genuinely be and reiterates how Christianity should be practiced.
The joy of the Bible revolves around how it helps keep God’s words intact so that humanity can access and use them in life. However, when it can be translated into a hundred different directions, what should people follow to ensure they’re on the right path?
Understanding Paul’s writings is a fraction of what should be done. Being educated about the right teachings and correcting any wrong beliefs they’ve held is another.
Author Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets provides Christians with material they can use for this purpose.
In his book On That Day, Thomas explores what he believes are the shortcomings of the church’s notions of salvation and faithfulness. It explains inaccuracies in how the church defines surrender and obedience in accordance with His will, expounding on the reason why nobody is saved. Much like Paul, Thomas writes to reevaluate the modern church and its beliefs around values and objectives.
He aims to redefine the foundations of a God-centered life, opposing some beliefs the church upholds.
Redefining Surrender and Obedience to Attain Salvation
At the center of Thomas Sheets’ book and Paul’s writing is the concept of salvation. It’s what every other Christian hopes to achieve. Yet, it has also posed an indefinite challenge to comprehend. Most Christians fail to understand the importance of total surrender and obedience to His words. Stuck under the impression that with the free will He has given, they believe they can hold control and be willful over a few aspects of their lives.
What they fail to see is that without fully yielding themselves to Him, they won’t experience His power and guidance. To be controlled by His will, Christians must live in surrender and obedience to Him.
How Can One Fully Surrender and Obey?
Throughout the Bible, multiple verses emphasize the importance of surrender and obedience for Christians. Additionally, numerous individuals serve as symbols of such concepts. Surrender and obedience are basic principles to abide by. But in modern times, this gets complicated and confusing.
“But Yours, be done” is a common phrase conveying what it means to surrender life before God. However, putting this into action is much more challenging than its simple articulation.
How easy is it to live in surrender and obedience to God? Here are a few tips:
Recognize His Power
One of the reasons why people get confused about how they should surrender to God is because they can’t recognize what aspect of their lives He has power over. They know He is the Creator and ruler of all things. Yet, having been gifted with free will, what should people learn to surrender to Him? Rule #1 is to understand that God has planned life. He has laid out one’s purpose. Surrender and obedience begin with acknowledging one’s God-given purpose.
Trust that He considers everyone’s benefit in His plans. To fully surrender means to put faith in His wisdom, knowing His will be done.
Seek His Will
People will only learn to fully trust and surrender their lives to Him if they grow closer to Him in faith. After all, nobody trusts whoever they aren’t comfortable or familiar with. To achieve this closeness in spirit, people are encouraged to spend time in prayer. Only by seeking His guidance by regularly communicating and being vulnerable with Him can one fully practice surrender and obedience.
Let Go of Control
Surrender and obedience only happen if people allow themselves to be led. For the Holy Spirit to drive their lives, Christians are encouraged to release their desires for control and fully allow God to step into their lives. Surrender only happens if people accept that His way and timing are perfect and they do not need to intervene.
Developing surrender is a transformative journey. It will test one’s obedience, humility, and, most importantly, faith in His will. If you’re interested in seeking more about what it means to surrender and obey, read more of On this Day by Thomas Fitzhugh Sheets.
- The Apostle Paul: A Life on the Road to Conversion - September 11, 2024
- Surrender and Obedience: Foundation of God-Centered Life - August 15, 2024
- Analyzing the World of Today: Is the End Times Now? - August 9, 2024
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