Surrendering Your Will To God

“Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” – Luke 1:38

And another Christmas has passed us by.  Our focus at Christmas is on the manger – and the arrival of Jesus – the Christ.  But I want back up about 9 months before that event. Taking a moment to consider Mary’s faith and commitment to surrendering to the will of God. Offering herself as a living sacrifice, if you will.   Her decision was life changing for her – when she yielded her will to God’s plan she took a risk of being rejected by those who did not understand why she did what she did. But recall that God intervened in Joseph’s life as well requiring him to exercise faith as well.

“And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” – Luke 22:41-43

Jesus was facing the Cross, the very reason that He was conceived in Mary’s womb. He had to choose the Father’s will to do what He was to do. Clearly a greater act of faith than Mary’s but still an act of faith in the same God. In the same way, we are called to live by faith.  That means that it should be the will of God that guides us in what we do, how we live.  Adam and Eve challenged the will of God – questioning the wisdom of God. Questioning if God “really” said it or meant it. Matching our reasoning with the revealed will of God. Rather than allowing the Word of God to shape our understanding of the culture and world we live in – we allow the culture and world to shape our understanding of God. I know that I quote these verses often, but they bear repeating.

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service [of worship]. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2

So many Christians have compromised their faith and willingness to yield to God because they preferred or feared their culture and its values more. Like I said, it is not a new problem – it started in the Garden. We are faced everyday with faith challenges.  We must be careful to not use the idea of what seems reasonable as a measure for it being right before God – being conformed by the wisdom of this world. It is that very world that the Father sent the Son to save us from. I can tell you but it is the Spirit that must convict you of truth. My hope is that my words will prompt you to think and then to seek the Truth from the Spirit of Truth.

Shine Bright my friend and glorify God with your life.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone