Surrender. This is how we become born again. We surrender our lives to God, admitting we are a sinner who cannot save ourselves, much less anyone else. We humble ourselves to understand that, apart from God’s Love and Grace, we are a complete mess. We are in desperate need of Him to be saved, and we are equally in desperate need of Him to live this Saved Life. The power of Life does not come from us. It only comes from the Giver of Life, from the one Who is Life, from the one Who desires for us to have Life. (see Jn 6:63; Jn 14:6; Jn 5:21) When we surrender that first time, and receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit unites with our dead spirit regenerating us by giving us Everlasting Life. We are no longer just animated, living life for MMI, but we are then connected to God and able to live a life loving Him, others and ourselves properly. We are ABLE, but can only carry this purpose out as we continue to connect with God, placing ourselves under the control of the Holy Spirit.
Dr Stanley gives a simple, yet powerful, example of what this looks like as he speaks about someone being drunk. “To be drunk is to be under the control of alcohol, to surrender one’s body, mind, and spirit to its influence. To be filled with the Spirit…is to voluntarily put oneself under the influence of the Holy Spirit.” (p45) This is our choice. If we decide to connect with God, in prayer, in His Word, or by listening to Christian music for example, we will be able to surrender any thoughts, emotions or desires to Him. But if we decide to push God aside, to try and figure out life by ourselves, or to just give in to any temptation that is before us, then we will not be able to experience this New Life we have in Christ, nor will we be able to show anyone how good this New Life in Christ can be. We have more power, and responsibility, than we might understand when we say we are a Christian, so if we are going to be under the control of anyone or anything, let us choose to surrender to the Holy Spirit who loves us and will only lead us deeper into this Abundant Life.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
<>< Peace, Diane
