Surrendering to God is a key concept in the Bible that involves humbly submitting our will to God’s will and seeking to align our thoughts, desires, and actions with His truth. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about surrendering to God:
Acknowledging God’s Sovereignty and Lordship
To surrender to God, we must start by acknowledging that He is sovereign, meaning He has supreme authority and power over everything (Psalm 103:19). We also must accept that Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives (Romans 10:9). This means He has the right to govern and rule our lives as He sees fit. As our Creator, God knows what is best for us. Surrendering means yielding our will to His higher wisdom and plans.
Submitting Our Will to God’s Will
A key part of surrender is aligning our will with God’s will. We see Jesus model this attitude of submission when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Surrendering requires humility and trust as we lay down our own desires and agendas to embrace God’s purposes. We stop clinging to control and allow God to direct our steps instead.
Obeying God Wholeheartedly
Surrender motivates us to obey God with all our heart, rather than trying to do the bare minimum. We see complete obedience modeled by Jesus who said, “I do exactly what my Father has commanded me” (John 14:31). The more we love and revere God, the more natural it becomes to obey Him. Surrendering means saying “yes” to all that God asks of us.
Serving God Selflessly
Surrender inspires us to serve God and others with pure motivations, rather than serving out of obligation or self-interest. Paul encourages us to offer ourselves as “living sacrifices” to God (Romans 12:1). This means making God’s priorities our priorities and living each day for His glory, not our own. We trust God to direct us each step of the way.
Following God’s Leading
An surrendered life involves following where God leads rather than insisting on our own way. We allow the Spirit to guide our thoughts, decisions, and actions each day. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5 teaches. As we stay connected to God in prayer and the Word, He will make His will clear.
Depending on God’s Strength
Surrender recognizes that we need God’s strength to follow Him faithfully each day. We cannot live the Christian life in our own power. As Paul reminds us, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Relying on God’s strength means humbly acknowledging our limitations and needs. His grace is sufficient for us.
Dying to Self
As we surrender, we choose to “die” to self-will and sinful desires that lead us astray. Paul exhorted followers of Christ to die to their old sinful nature (Romans 6:6-7). This allows the new creation that God is forming in us to come alive. Dying to self is required to live a resurrected life fully surrendered to Christ.
Abiding in Christ
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). As this verse describes, surrender enables us to abide and rest in Christ, our true vine. Remaining constantly connected to Him is the source of spiritual life and vitality.
Presenting Our Bodies as Living Sacrifices
In Romans 12:1, Paul urges followers of Christ to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This act of surrender is our spiritual worship. Rather than being conformed to the world, surrender allows our lives to be transformed and respond to God’s perfect will for us.
Making Jesus Lord of All
Surrendering means making Jesus the Lord of every area of our lives – from finances and career to relationships and thought patterns. “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18).
Trusting God’s Faithfulness
Ultimately, surrender is built on trusting God’s faithfulness and goodness. “The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” (Psalm 145:13). We can surrender fully, knowing that God cares for us and will work out every circumstance for our long-term good.
In summary, surrendering to God is both an attitude of the heart and a way of life. As we submit to His lordship, obey His Word, die to self, and trust in His strength and faithfulness, we will experience the profound peace, meaning, and abundant life He desires for us. Yielding our will to God’s will allows Him to direct our paths and transforms us to reflect Jesus Christ more and more.
Repenting of Sin
An important first step in surrendering to God is repenting of sin. We see this modeled by the prodigal son who recognized his sin and returned to the father, submitting himself completely (Luke 15:11-24). Repentance involves confessing our sins before God, asking for forgiveness, and demonstrating true remorse. It clears the way for restored fellowship with God.
Letting Go of Control
Surrendering requires letting go of our inherent desire for control and fully submitting to God’s control instead. Rather than clinging to our plans, agendas, and self-sufficiency, we release everything to God and acknowledge Him as the rightful owner and authority over our lives. This letting go brings peace and rest.
Choosing Obedience over Sacrifice
At times surrender will lead us to make painful sacrifices. However, God always desires obedience over sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). While surrendering our will may be difficult, it is necessary to living in right relationship with God. Obedience leads to blessings while rebellion leads to discipline.
Fixing Our Eyes on Eternity
It’s easier to surrender when we fix our eyes on eternity rather than getting caught up in temporal concerns. Paul said, “We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17).
Practicing Daily Surrender
Surrender is not a one-time choice but rather a daily practice as we submit our hopes, dreams, relationships, careers, finances, plans, and future to God’s will. “Take up your cross daily and follow me.” Jesus commanded in Luke 9:23. Each morning we can pray prayers of surrender to God.
Being Willing to Suffer for Christ
Part of surrendering is being willing to suffer or endure hardship for the sake of following Christ. Peter wrote, “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.” (1 Peter 4:1).
Persevering Through Trials
Surrendering doesn’t mean God will make our path easy and comfortable. We will still face trials and suffering. James 1:2-4 encourages us to persevere through trials so that God can produce maturity and Christlike character in us. Surrender motivates endurance.
Serving God Wholeheartedly
In everything we do, surrendering enables us to serve God with passion and enthusiasm rather than lukewarmness. “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11). We offer God our very best when fully surrendered.
Demonstrating Christlike Humility
Surrender naturally cultivates greater humility as we acknowledge our dependence and need for God. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…” (Philippians 2:3). Pride blocks surrender.
Manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit
As we walk in surrender, God develops His fruit in our lives – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). This Christlike character pleases God and blesses others.
Becoming More Like Christ
Surrender enables the process of sanctification – being transformed to become more like Jesus. “And we all…are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Surrender allows God to shape us to reflect Christ.
Gaining God’s Perspective
Surrender allows us to see situations from God’s higher perspective rather than just our limited human viewpoint. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Experiencing Lasting Contentment
When we fully surrender to Christ, we find a contentment that does not depend on circumstances. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13).
Knowing and Delighting in God’s Will
Rather than chasing our own pleasures, surrender allows us to know and delight in God’s perfect will. “I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8). His plans are so much higher than ours.
Living Boldly for Christ
Surrender gives us boldness to live radically for Christ, share our faith, and be “living sacrifices.” Paul wrote, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.” (Romans 12:1).
Embracing God’s Purpose and Calling
As we yield to God’s leadership, He reveals His purpose and calling for our lives. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10).
Receiving God’s Grace
It is only by God’s grace that we can surrender and submit to Him. Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6). Apart from Christ, surrender is impossible.
Enjoying Intimacy with God
Surrender leads to greater intimacy with God as we open ourselves fully to His presence and fellowship. We hide nothing from Him. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8).
Finding True Freedom
Full surrender to Christ brings the freedom of living according to God’s perfect will, rather than slavery to sin. “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” (Romans 6:22).
Walking in Newness of Life
The surrendered life allows us to walk in new life through the power of Christ’s resurrection. Paul wrote, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4).
Living Unhindered by Sin and Shame
Surrendering allows us to be unshackled from sin, addiction, and shame. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). God’s strength enables us to overcome bondage.
Being Revived and Restored
When our faith feels dry or distant from God, surrender paves the way for spiritual revival and restoration. “Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord.” (Malachi 3:7). God always responds to humble hearts.
Embracing the Cross
To follow Christ, we must embrace the cross and abandon worldly values and selfish gain. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). The cross precedes the crown.
Laying Down Idols
Surrender may require laying down idols – anything we have put before God in our lives. 1 John 5:21 warns, “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” God will not share our hearts with any idol.
Being Empowered by Holy Spirit
It is only through surrendering and submitting to God that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Ephesians 5:18 commands, “…be filled with the Spirit.” The Spirit energizes surrendered believers.