Words of Hope Daily Devotional
A Surrendered Life
Read: Philippians 3:1-21
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. (v. 8)
What might a life of total surrender to Christ look like? Consider the life of the apostle Paul. Here was a man who had everything the world thought was best, but he gladly gave it all up in order to follow Christ. Paul’s education, status, background, possessions, family, even his religion, all counted as nothing to him “because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (v. 8).
Coming to know Christ and loving him with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength will drastically alter our lives. This love for him is what enables us to surrender all to him. Nothing else matters compared to him. This is why Paul could say, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (v. 7).
Another man who understood this well was renowned theologian Jonathan Edwards. He could say, “I have been before God, and have given myself, all that I am and have, to God; so that I am not, in any respect, my own.” But as missionary martyr Jim Elliot observed, to give what you cannot keep (your life) in order to gain what you cannot lose (Christ) is not a bad bargain.
As you pray, ask God to help you to see all else as loss to be surrendered, compared to Christ.
About the Author
Jessica Heikoop was a writer and editor from Ontario, Canada. Beloved by her family and community, she died in 2013 at the age of 31.
Surrender Reputation
Read: John 12:37-50 They loved the glory that comes from man more. (v. 43) Admit it: you care about what others think of you. Nobody wants to be laughed at or mocked. We all want respect. That’s not bad, but worrying
Thy Will Be Done
Read: John 6:35-40 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (v. 38) As every parent soon learns, children develop a will of their own. It happens
Surrender Possessions
Read: Mark 10:17-31 He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (v. 22) The rich young ruler was a man who wanted to follow Christ but wasn’t willing to surrender his possessions in order to do so. In the end,
Surrender Your Fears
Read: Luke 12:22-34 Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (v. 25) Many of us would have to confess that we aren’t anxious about anything except our worries. As Oscar Wilde quipped,
How to Surrender
Read: Philippians 4:4-9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (v. 9) It’s all well and good to sing “I surrender all.”
I Surrender All
Read: Romans 12:1-2 Present your bodies as a living sacrifice. (v. 1) The congregation was enthusiastically singing I Surrender All. Then our pastor observed that if we were being honest, most of us would have to change the words a bit