To surrender is defined as, to cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority. Those are words we don’t want to say. To surrender is to give up your rights and submit to someone else. Men will fight until death to keep from surrendering. Usually, the reason we don’t want to surrender is pride. We fear letting go because we are not sure of the results of letting someone else oversee our lives.
In Mark 10:17-22, we find a young man coming to Jesus wanting to know how he can obtain eternal life. This young man was rich and from his response, he put great value on what he had. It appears he was sincere in wanting to obtain eternal life. Verse 17 says he came to Jesus running, and when he got to Jesus he kneeled and ask what he should do to inherit eternal life. He even referred to Jesus as “good master.” Not language or actions of someone that was casually curious.
Mark 10:17-18 “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”
However, his desire was not as strong as he thought it was. When Jesus questioned him about keeping the commandments, he felt pretty good about the way this conversation was going. He could answer Jesus in the positive. He had kept these commandments since his youth. In his mind, his good works were going to make him look “good.”
Mark 10:19 “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.”
Then Jesus shook his world. Jesus sees his heart and knows that this man wants to gain eternal life, but not bad enough to forsake all. The Man came to Jesus expecting affirmation of his goodness. He believed that his works would justify himself, and then he would return to the life he already had, and he could then fully enjoy all his riches.
Mark 10:21 “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
Instead of confirming his works, he was confronted with the truth. What you have done is not enough! He was standing face-to-face with the Son of God Himself, the young man decided that he was not willing to give up his temporary for eternal. The young man traded freedom in Christ for worldly possessions. He decided to hang on to his false security for eternal life. The young man walks away very sad and grieved because he was not willing to surrender.
Mark 10:22 “ And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”
So many people today want the blessing that God has to offer, but they are not willing to surrender. They are not willing to let God be God! He is either your master, or he is not. If you are not willing to give everything to him, then he does not have first place in your life and he will not be second!
Surrender is also something that a believer will deal with until the day we die. As we grow in our faith, God will reveal more and more of ourselves to us. Even Paul said, “I die daily.”
I Corinthians 15:31 “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”
Surrender is a lifelong process, but it is oh so rewarding!
