Surrender and Approval
As I've thought about surrender this week two verses from the Message Bible have come to mind. I will talk about one today and one tomorrow.
I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. This life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gal. 2:20 Message
I remember the first time I read this verse. I stopped reading as I tried to sort through and make sense of a deeper understanding of myself and God. I grew up with the idea that only when I performed perfectly would I be accepted. This verse helped me to see how I had transferred that same belief to my relationship with God.
Living a life surrendered to Christ means we don't have to put on a show.
God accepts us just as we are through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave His life so we would be acceptable to God. My efforts to do right do not impress God. Me coming to God through my faith in Jesus is all I have to do in order to have a relationship with our Father in heaven.
God's love for us is consistently, relentless. He never stops loving us. Therefore, we do not have to break our necks trying to do all kinds of things in order to impress Him and get His attention.
When we surrender to God, we are saying we accept the gift of life He has given us in Christ and in accepting that gift, we recognize that our own efforts will not ever be enough to win His favor.
Surrendering to God simply says, "I cannot do this on my own. I need the help that only Jesus can give me."
In learning that I did not have to earn God's approval, I realized that I was still trying to earn my own approval and that of other people. Again, I had to spend some time thinking about this verse and acknowledge the fact that no matter what anyone else says or thinks of me - God always loves me, always wants me, and He has a purpose for me. The same is true for you.
Accept the sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf. Practice living without putting on a show. Carefully look at your motives for doing things and be honest with God about what's in your heart.
There is great joy and peace in the life that is surrendered to God.
Heidirn
I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. This life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gal. 2:20 Message
I remember the first time I read this verse. I stopped reading as I tried to sort through and make sense of a deeper understanding of myself and God. I grew up with the idea that only when I performed perfectly would I be accepted. This verse helped me to see how I had transferred that same belief to my relationship with God.
Living a life surrendered to Christ means we don't have to put on a show.
God accepts us just as we are through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave His life so we would be acceptable to God. My efforts to do right do not impress God. Me coming to God through my faith in Jesus is all I have to do in order to have a relationship with our Father in heaven.
God's love for us is consistently, relentless. He never stops loving us. Therefore, we do not have to break our necks trying to do all kinds of things in order to impress Him and get His attention.
When we surrender to God, we are saying we accept the gift of life He has given us in Christ and in accepting that gift, we recognize that our own efforts will not ever be enough to win His favor.
Surrendering to God simply says, "I cannot do this on my own. I need the help that only Jesus can give me."
In learning that I did not have to earn God's approval, I realized that I was still trying to earn my own approval and that of other people. Again, I had to spend some time thinking about this verse and acknowledge the fact that no matter what anyone else says or thinks of me - God always loves me, always wants me, and He has a purpose for me. The same is true for you.
Accept the sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf. Practice living without putting on a show. Carefully look at your motives for doing things and be honest with God about what's in your heart.
There is great joy and peace in the life that is surrendered to God.
Heidirn
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