By
Pastors Walt and Sharron Scott
November
4, 2013
Let's
talk a bit about freedom and surrender. How do you think the average
person living in the world would define “freedom”? I
believe they would say it is the ability to do what we want, when we
want, without having to answer to anyone. I think most teenagers
think of freedom that way.
How
then, would those same people define “surrender”? I think
“to give up” (especially our freedom). Resignation. Despair.
Relinquishing. The outcome of surrender, in this mindset, is
captivity. The yielding up to another.
How
about “captivity”? I think it would be the state of being
imprisoned or incarcerated. To be in a state of subjugation, or even
enslavement; to be held captive.
And
this next one has caused a stir: “submission” or
“humility”. I think it's fair to say the worldly
definition would be something like a dog rolling over and exposing
it's belly. To give up, give in. To be meek, spiritless and groveling
to others.
Then
there is the worldly view of what “law” is. Most would
agree it includes rules and regulations. The flip side of that is
“punishment”. The world thinks of this as control and
penalty.
OK,
now let's look at the actions of “surrender”. What do we
do when we surrender? What does it look like? What comes to mind?
Waving a white flag? Obeying, but with minimum compliance out of fear
of retribution, in rebellion of being controlled?
For example, not stopping fully at stop signs, going slightly over
the speed limit, doing only what you know you can get away with. I
call this the “naughty child syndrome”. Many children (and, from
our personal experience, parrots) will approach something they know
they will get in trouble for touching, and watch your face to see if
you are paying attention. They won't do it until they KNOW you are
watching, because it's not as much fun if you don't see them doing
it! They wait, perhaps making a noise to grab your attention, and
suddenly BOOM! They are doing the one thing they know will get them
in to trouble. Why? Because, to a child, or a wicked parrot, bad
attention is better than no attention. AND (this is of utmost
importance) as long as you are Reacting, they are in control. That's
right. THEY are in control. Because they have done the one thing they
know is forbidden, and, in their own mind, gotten away with it!
What
does that have to do with freedom and surrender? Well, as long as we
live that way, pushing the line and getting away with what we can, we
are like “naughty children”. We know the difference between right
and wrong. We are choosing to push that line, so we can “feel
free”. Pushing that margin means we didn't get caught; are not
captive to anyone, are not submissive, not being punished or
controlled. We have not surrendered our freedom to anyone or
anything. But when you really examine it, this is not freedom. This
is captivity to something far worse than man.
The
worldly view of the Church is very Old Covenant; it is like outsiders
looking in. They see laws, judgment, fear (of God), no freedom,
controlling, and boredom. In short, it's NO FUN.
Let's
see what Webster's definition of freedom is:
“The absence of
necessity, coercion or constraint in choice or action. Liberation
from slavery or restraint from the power of another.
Now,
let's talk about Kingdom freedom. In the kingdom of God, true freedom
comes from total surrender. In the worldly sense, that makes no
sense. God's kingdom means freedom from fear, anxiety, insecurity,
loneliness, depression, and any other negative aspect of earthly
life. How is that possible?
Worldly
surrender means defeat. Kingdom surrender means victory! Think of it
this way: In the world, when you surrender, what are you giving up?
What do you gain by surrendering? And in the Kingdom, when you
surrender, what are you giving up? What do you gain? You see, Kingdom
freedom ONLY comes with surrender.
We
were created by a God of free choice (or free will). He loves us
enough and respects us (I believe that to be true because we know God
has self-respect. And He created us in His image. Yes, scripture says
He is “a respecter of no man”, but that is different
contextually. I mean to say that God respects our ability to choose).
He gave us the ability to choose our actions. However he also, in
that moment, applies the appropriate consequences
for our bad decisions and actions. When your child shoplifts a pack
of gum on a dare from a friend, you may forgive that child. But you
still march her little buns back to the store and make her apologize
to the manager and PAY for the pack of gum, and promise to never do
it again. (yes, that was me at the age of 9. And no, I NEVER did it
again).
Proverbs 10:9 &
11:3 (integrity)
God
allows us, even after totally surrendering our lives to Him, to
control our own lives. Yes, many say that God has total control of
our lives; that he is in charge of everything, always. But I do not
believe this to be the case unless we choose to make it so.
Yes, God knows everything we have done, are doing, and will ever do.
But I believe he chooses not
to control our decisions, because he loves us.
I
believe He waits for us to ASK Him to take control of our lives, our
thoughts, our hearts, our actions. He will only control that which we
surrender to Him. And I believe that sometimes He chooses NOT to take
control of some aspects of our lives even when we ask Him to. He may
want US to take responsibility!
What
does it look like to surrender everything to God?
I
believe and have know many Christians who still “battle” with
fear, anxiety, depression, and all the other lies of the enemy. Why?
I believe it is because they have NOT totally surrendered
themselves; body, mind and spirit, to Christ. Yes, they have received
Christ as their personal Savior and asked Him into their hearts. But
they have NOT surrendered to Him.
Why
would anyone do that, you ask? Why would we receive Christ and
withhold our very lives from Him, reserving mindsets and old, worldly
ways?
Does
total surrender mean you are giving total control of your life to
God, and you have no say in it? You see, many are still under the
world's definition of surrender, which ALWAYS leads to captivity.
As
Christians, we know and accept and believe that we are totally free
from sin and death's hold over us, because of Jesus' sacrifice on the
cross. He died that we may be saved. But the freedom I speak of is a
deeper level of liberty. Certainly freedom from death is incredibly
important, because that is what allows us to live in eternity in the
Presence of God the Father.
Let's
look at what His word says:
1
Cor. 15:54-57
54 When
the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal
with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
56 The
sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.57 But
thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
John
17:3
3 Now
this is eternal life: that they know you, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
You
see, it has been my observation that for many Christians, the death
of Christ was not enough to give them peace.
It sounds terrible, but I believe it is true, based upon observing
and counseling many troubled Christians. At least it was true for me
for decades of my Christian walk.
For the modern world the life of Jesus Christ was and is not
relational. Therefore it is not believable or real. Our commission is
to make it real through the power of the Holy Spirit.
There are countless scriptures that tell us not to fear, to believe
and have faith. So why do so many of us walk in fear?
I believe it is because
we fear what total surrender would be like. I can't speak for anyone
but myself. But we know this to be true; that God is love. And there
is no fear in love:
1
John 4:16-18
God
is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in
them. 17 This is how love is made complete among
us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In
this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in
love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do
with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1
Corinthians 13:3
3 If
I give all I possess to the poor and
give over my body to hardship that I may boast,
but
do not have love, I gain nothing.
I
came to a point in my life, after living with anxiety attacks and
depression for decades (yes, as a born again Christian) when I
realized that being in that state is living in a state of sin. You
see, whenever Jesus says something in scripture, it is not a
suggestion. It's not even an option (unless he states so). When he
tells us “fear not”, he means exactly that. It's not an option,
it is a command.
Remember in John 14:15, Jesus said “if you love me, you will obey
my commands”. He was not speaking of the 10 commandments.
Hebrews
9:15
15 For
this reason Christ is the mediator of
a new covenant,that those who are called may
receive the promised eternal
inheritance—now
that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed
under the first covenant.
All
of Jesus' commands filter down into one: Love one another as I have
loved you. (John 13:34).
When Jesus laid down His life for us, did He fear? No. Fear
is lack of trust and faith in God.
Jesus could not do that. Would not. It is more true to His nature
that when He wept in the Garden of Gethsemane that He wept for us.
When He asked if the cup could be taken from Him, it was not out of
fear, but from a sorrowful heart.
In
my own experience, and after doing much searching in the word and
sorting things out with the Holy Spirit, it came down to one thing: I
either believed what I read in God's Word, or I did not. I either
believed it was for me, or I did not. I can't be a “fair weather”
Christian.
John 14:26 (Holy
Spirit)
26 But
the Advocate, the
Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will
teach you all things and
will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The
path I chose several years ago was to TOTALLY SURRENDER myself to
God's will, His Word, His truth. Yes, I surrendered control of my
life to Him. But God never forces his will upon us.
When I finally realized
how miserable I had been for so many years, and it was all because of
ego, pride, and yes, ignorance of the Word, I dove in. I asked the
Holy Spirit for help. Can I truly live without anxiety and fear: Yes,
I can and I do. And believe me, I have been tested.
James
1:22-25
22 Do
not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it
says. 23 Anyone
who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone
who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and,
after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he
looks like. 25 But
whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and
continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing
it—they will be blessed in what they do.
What
is our God-given gift of free will, and why do we have it?
(Truth)
John
8:31-32
31 To
the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my
teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then
you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
36 So
if the Son sets you free, you
will be free indeed.
1
Peter 2:16 (free)
16 Live
as free people, but
do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live
as God’s slaves.
2
Corinthians 3:17
17 Now
the Lord is the Spirit, and
where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Psalm
118:5
Psalm
119:45 (freedom)
Having
read those scriptures, what is truth in relation to freedom?
You
see, Kingdom surrender is the true source of freedom. You still get
to make your own choices. BUT because of your love and trust in God
the Father, you make choices based on the heart of
Jesus.
You choose to stand
on
the promises of God. You choose to believe
that you are an heir
to His throne. You choose to believe
in His Word and truth. And you believe
they all apply to your
life.
I no longer have to
decide if I am going to shoplift that pack of gum. I would never
grieve my Father that way. God has changed my heart to look more like
His heart. My freedom lies in the ability to live without fear,
knowing that when my Daddy says He will be there with me, He NEVER
lies.
Worldly freedom is
based on the knowledge of worldly facts, wisdom and understanding
that you can still be imprisoned. Kingdom freedom is based on
the heavenly or Kingdom knowledge that you will NEVER be captive to
anyone or anything ever again. Most especially to the enemy, unless
you so choose. And why, after knowing the love of Christ, would
anyone make that choice? Unfortunately, some do.
Kingdom surrender is
peace, not inner turmoil. Freedom, not captivity. God takes
“submission, captivity, surrender, freedom, and liberty” and
re-defines them in love. They now have a Godly perspective. I submit
my life to Jesus. I surrender my concerns, cares, family, health, to
Jesus. I trust God for my freedom, not man. I thank God for the
ability to choose, and liberty to preach His gospel. And I lay at His
feet and thank Him for bringing me from servant, to friend to heir.
No situation ever got better because I worried about it. ALL things
get better because I surrendered them to God, and because He will
never leave me or forsake me.
Be
strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified
because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
What
is your mindset? I want to encourage you to realize that anxiety,
fear, depression and any other negative environment is a symptom
of the enemy tempting you to partner with him and not God.
Remember, in heaven there
is not fear. No anxiety, no depression, no uncertainty. That is
Kingdom freedom, and we can have it on earth, today. Now. We don't
have to wait until we die and go to heaven to have total peace. It is
available here, now.
John
14:27
27 Peace
I leave with you; my peace I give you. I
do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.
Walk in God's freedom:
Isaiah
41:10
“Fear not, for I am
with you”
So
do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Ask yourself silently if
you are in fear, depression, anxiety, or anything else that does not
exist in heaven. Then ask God to show you what the true cause of that
is. Hold out your hands and hand it to God your Father. SURRENDER it
all to Him. Then put your arms down and walk away. Promise your
Father that you will NEVER doubt Him again. Promise that you will
NEVER pick that up again. You see, He never meant for you to have all
the answers. Nor did He mean for you to carry all the burdens. In
this simple action you will find the most PERFECT FREEDOM you will
ever have.
The
thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have
come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Which freedom and
surrender will you choose?
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