SEARCHLIGHT
Is it possible to completely surrender to someone and still win?
SCRIPTURE
Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
In Kenny Luck’s book “Every Man, God’s Man” he identified that the key to Japan’s recovery, after World War II, was unconditional surrender. He wrote “At 9:04 a.m. on September 2, 1945, aboard the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, World War II officially ended. Signing on behalf of Emperor Hirohito, the Japanese foreign minister inked his signature to the document, declaring Japan’s complete, unconditional surrender to the Allied powers. You know what followed. With occupation aid and tutelage, Japan emerged from the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Recovery, though slow, was steady. It has become one of the most productive, peaceful countries in the world. Placing itself at the mercy of the prevailing powers allowed Japan, to renew itself. But first, the Japanese military and government had to completely give up, lay down its arms, and except surrender with no conditions.” Japan’s recovery began with unconditional surrender. Complete surrender has led Japan to win.
What you believe is defining who you are. Tell me what you believe, and I will tell you what you are becoming. What beliefs are directing your life?
God has identified 5 FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS TO BUILD YOUR LIFE ON. They are 5 beliefs God wants you to live by. They are key to you discovering a life that will be pleasing to God and productive for the sake of others. Never forget. What you believe in your heart is making you what you are. You need to ask yourself a question, “What do I believe? What is making me who I am?”
In 1 Timothy, we learn the first 3 foundational pillars to build your life on. [For a full explanation, read the previous devotional.] They are listed below:
Pillar #1 - Salvation is needed by all and is only provided by Jesus Christ. See 1 Timothy 1:15. This pillar focuses on your personal relationship with your Creator. It tells you how much God loves you by sending Jesus, His Son, to earth to die for your SALVATION.
Pillar #2 - Accepting God’s assignments by aspiring to serve Him leads to experiencing the highest quality of life. See 1 Timothy 3:1. This pillar focuses on your purpose and capabilities. It tells you how important it is for you to use you God given abilities not just for yourself but to honor God in Christian SERVICE.
Pillar #3 - Nothing is ever lost by sharing the Gospel and suffering for Jesus Christ because real hope only comes from God. See 1 Timothy 4:9,10. This pillar focuses on your calling by God to share and suffer for the Good News. It tells you the hope God gives you is always worth more than any SACRIFICE.
Today’s Scripture focus identifies the 4th foundational pillar. It is found in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. This pillar is a paradox because it appears to be contradictory. Actually, it is very true. Here is the overriding thought.
Pillar #4 – Unconditional commitment to Jesus Christ brings unbelievable blessings. In the “Message” translation, 2 Timothy 2:11-14 states, “If we die with him, we’ll live with him; if we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him; if we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us; if we give up on him, he does not give up on us – for there’s no way he can be false to himself.” Dying to self leads to abundant and eternal life from Jesus. Standing up for Jesus leads to standing with Jesus as King of Kings. Denying Jesus leads to Jesus denying you. But your unfaithfulness will never mean that Jesus will be unfaithful to you. That is opposite to His character. Jesus cannot go against who He is.
Just like the Japanese learned after the war, so God wants Christians to learn. Complete surrender led the nation of Japan to win. It has become a thriving, not just surviving, nation. Likewise, unconditional surrender to Jesus Christ will lead believers to win. They will discover an unbelievable, productive life that will glean eternal significance.
Pillar #4 focuses on your commitment to Jesus Christ and the blessings that follow. It tells you how accomplished your life will be by living a life of 100% SURRENDER. Have you given Jesus all of you? Have you invited Him to shape and direct your heart, mind, soul, strength, body, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, possessions and finances? Is Jesus Christ both your personal Savior and Lord of your life? You too will thrive and not just survive.
Will you build your life on these foundational pillars God has given to you?
SOMETHING TO DO
C.S. Lewis was an influential Christian author, scholar and professor in the 20th century. One reason he had such a powerful impact on society was because he had previously been an atheist. His conversion compelled people to listen to him. In his book, “Beyond Personality,” he described how necessary it is to completely commit your life to Jesus Christ. Nothing should be held back. Lewis wrote, “Christ says, ‘Give me all. I don’t want so much of your money and so much of your work – I want you. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and there; I want to have the whole tree down. I don’t want to drill the tooth, or crown it, stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole natural self instead. In fact, I will give you myself, my own will shall be yours.’”
Discuss this quote with a friend. How does this quote reinforce the 4th foundational pillar?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I surrender all of me to You. Take my heart, my will, my mind and my emotions. Shape me into Your likeness. Not my will but Thine be done. AMEN