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. – Romans 12:1
Complete Trust in God
As we think about total surrender to God, we must recognize the importance of trusting in Him completely. When we place our faith in God’s plans, we let go of our own understanding and acknowledge His wisdom. It’s about knowing that God is in control, and we are to seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives. We can release our worries and fears, recognizing that He cares for us more than we can imagine. Total surrender leads us to a place of peace, where we understand that His ways are better than our ways.
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” – Proverbs 3:5
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will do this:” – Psalm 37:5
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” – Psalm 55:22
Living Sacrifices
Another aspect of total surrender is the call to be living sacrifices. When we think of surrender, we often think of giving up something, but in God’s word, surrender means giving everything of ourselves back to Him. We are made to serve Him and others, where our lives become an offering. This means allowing our hearts, minds, and lives to be transformed by His love, so that we may reflect Christ in everything we do. We embrace His will above our own, and in doing so, we find fulfillment and purpose.
Romans 12:1
“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.” – Romans 12:1
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
Ephesians 4:1
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” – Ephesians 4:1
Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'” – Matthew 16:24
1 Peter 2:5
“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5
Surrendering Our Will
Surrendering our will means laying aside our desires for God’s greater plan. We often have our dreams and aspirations, but when we totally surrender, we align ourselves with God’s path for us. This can sometimes be challenging, especially when we might be called to a path that is different from what we envision. Trusting that God’s plans are good and knowing that He has our best interests at heart makes this process much more manageable. It’s a journey of learning and growing in faith together as we yield to His will.
Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” – Luke 22:42
Matthew 6:10
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” – Matthew 6:10
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” – Colossians 3:23-24
Faith in God’s Provision
Having total surrender is often tied to our faith in God’s provision. We need to recognize that God is our provider, and with this understanding comes the faith that He will take care of our needs. When we surrender ourselves to God, we trust that He will supply us with everything we require for life and godliness. We can release our worries, knowing that God’s resources are abundant and that He knows our needs even before we ask. As we rely on Him, we can see His blessings overflow in our lives.
Philippians 4:19
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Matthew 6:31-33
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:31-33
2 Corinthians 9:8
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
Psalms 37:25
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread.” – Psalms 37:25
Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
Finding Strength in Weakness
When we surrender to God, we learn that our weaknesses can actually be our strengths. In our moments of weakness, we can turn to Him for strength. It is during these times that God’s power is made perfect in our shortcomings. We may feel weak and unqualified at times, but with God by our side, we can do great things. We can lean on Him to carry us through, reminding us that His grace is sufficient for us, and that we don’t have to lean on our own strength.
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Isaiah 40:29
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” – Isaiah 40:29
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
Romans 8:37
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:37
Obeying God’s Commands
Our surrender to God naturally leads us to obey His commands. When our hearts are aligned with God’s will, obeying Him becomes our desire. We acknowledge that God knows what is best for us. His commands are not there to restrict us, but to guide us in living a fulfilling life. As we grow in our relationship with Him, our desire to follow His ways strengthens. Obeying His instructions will help keep us on the right path, bringing joy and purpose to our lives through total surrender.
John 14:15
“If you love me, keep my commands.” – John 14:15
1 John 2:3-5
“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” – 1 John 2:3-5
James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22
Deuteronomy 30:16
“For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him and to keep his commands, decrees and laws.” – Deuteronomy 30:16
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Final Thoughts
Surrendering to God is a beautiful and life-changing experience. Through total surrender, we learn to trust in His plans, live as sacrifices, abandon our wills, and find strength in our weaknesses. It’s a reminder that even in our challenges, He provides and asks us to obey. Together, we can navigate this journey in faith, bringing us closer to Him and finding true purpose in our lives. We are called to love as He loves and serve others in the ways He taught us. So let us encourage and support one another in this journey of faith, supporting each other along the way.
If you want to explore more topics about living a faithful life, check out our insights about the cost of following Jesus or reflect on the difficulties of being a Christian. We can grow together in our faith.