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Practicing Surrender and Release in Christian Life

The practice of surrender and release in Christian life involves a conscious yielding of one's will, desires, and control to God, often characterized by self-denial and resignation. This concept is deeply rooted in biblical teaching and exemplified by Christ himself [1, 2].

Self-denial is presented as a fundamental aspect of following Christ. Jesus set an example of self-denial, as seen in his resistance to temptation and his declaration that his food was to do the will of the Father [1, 11]. He stated that those who wish to follow him must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him [1]. This self-denial is a test of devotion and is necessary for the spiritual warfare of believers and their ultimate triumph [1]. It involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, abstaining from fleshly lusts, and mortifying sinful desires [1]. The redeemed Christian is understood to have been "crucified with Christ," laying aside the old self that sought merit through law-keeping [14]. This transformation leads to a new life where Christ lives within the believer [14].

Resignation, or submission to God's will, is another key component. Christ himself demonstrated resignation in Gethsemane, praying, "not as I will, but as you will" [2, Matthew 26:39]. Believers are commanded to be resigned, trusting in God's sovereignty and submitting to his purposes [2, Psalm 37:7, 46:10]. This includes submission in the face of death, loss of possessions or children, chastisements, and bodily suffering [2, Job 1:15-21, Hebrews 12:9]. The wicked, in contrast, are described as being devoid of such resignation [2].

A central biblical passage articulating this surrender is Romans 12:1, which urges believers "to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service" [3]. This concept of offering oneself as a "living sacrifice" is echoed in 1 Peter 2:5, where believers are called to be "living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" [5]. This involves a radical reorientation of life, moving from living for oneself to living for Christ [8, Romans 14:8].

The practice of surrender also entails releasing the desire for revenge. Scripture explicitly forbids revenge, urging believers to trust in God, exhibit love, and overcome evil with kindness [7, Romans 12:17-20]. Christ's example of forbearing revenge, even under persecution, serves as a model [7, Isaiah 53:7, 1 Peter 2:23]. Persecution itself is something believers are told to expect, and Christ voluntarily submitted to it, demonstrating patience [7].

This spiritual discipline is not merely about abstaining from negative behaviors but actively pursuing a life aligned with God's will. It involves believing God, fearing God, loving God, and obeying God, as well as following Christ's example [6]. The "circumcision of the heart" mentioned in Jeremiah 4:4 signifies giving up pride and power, which are precious to individuals, as a sign of submission to God [9].

The outcome of such surrender is often peace. Jesus promised his disciples, "Peace I leave to you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be timid" [4]. This peace comes from releasing control and trusting in God's provision, even in challenging circumstances [8]. For disciples, sacrifice and self-effacement are presented as means of gaining the fullness of life offered by Jesus [10]. Real love, exemplified by Christ, involves self-sacrifice and a genuine concern for the needs of others, including giving time, effort, and possessions [12]. The Christian life is characterized by a continuous process of "mortification of sin" and living to God [13].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  3. Romans “Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. -- Romans 12:1”
  4. John “John 14:27 (LITV) — I leave peace to you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be timid.”
  5. I Peter “I Peter 2:5 (DRC) — Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
  8. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 12:6: 12:6 Like the people of Israel who were spiritually refined in the wilderness (see Hos 2:14-15; Acts 7:38-45) and in exile (see Isa 5:13; Ezek 12:1-3), the Christian church must face its own wilderness. Revelation presents messages of endurance and perseverance in the face of trouble and shows that God provides places of refuge and avenues of escape for his people (cp. 1 Cor 10:13). 1,260 days: See study note on Rev 11:2-3.”
  9. Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 4:4: 4:4 To deal with their sin, the people needed to give up the pride and power that were so precious to them (Deut 10:16; 30:6; Amos 5:6; Mark 9:43; Rom 2:28; Col 2:11). • surrender your pride and power: Literally circumcise yourselves. Circumcision was a covenant sign of submission to God.”
  10. John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 12:25: 12:25 For disciples, sacrifice and self-effacement are means of gaining the fullness of life provided by Jesus’ sacrifice. Those who renounce the world will join Jesus in eternity and be honored by God just as Jesus is.”
  11. John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 4:34: My meat is to do the will of him that sent me - In these words, our blessed Lord teaches a lesson of zeal and earnestness to his apostles, and to all their successors in the Christian ministry. Let the salvation of souls lie nearer your heart than life itself. Let eating and drinking, labor and rest, reading, thinking, study, prayer, and all things, be directed to the accomplishment of this great work. Ministers of Jesus! imitate your Lord! Souls are perishing for lack of knowledge - God has given you the key of the kingdom, the knowledge of his word - O open unto the”
  12. 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 3:16: 3:16-18 Christ’s example shows that real love involves self-sacrifice. We do this by becoming truly concerned about the needs of others and by unselfishly giving time, effort, prayer, possessions, and even our lives to supply those needs.”
  13. 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 4 (introduction): The work of a Christian is twofold - doing the will of God and suffering his pleasure. This chapter directs us in both. The duties we are here exhorted to employ ourselves in are the mortification of sin, living to God, sobriety, prayer, charity, hospitality, and the best improvement of our talents, which the apostle presses upon Christians from the consideration of the time they have lost in their sins, and the approaching end of all things (Pe1 4:1-11). The directions for sufferings are that we should not be surprised at them, but rejoice in them, o”
  14. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 2:20: 2:20 A law-free Good News does not lead to lawlessness, as Paul’s opponents argued (2:17), because lawlessness is a response of the unredeemed. The redeemed Christian has been crucified with Christ. See also Col 2:11-14, 20-23. A Christian has laid aside the old self, which strove to achieve merit by keeping the law (cp. Rom 7:4-6). • It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me: Christians, having experienced Christ’s death and resurrection (Rom 6:1-14), have new hearts (see Jer 31:31-34; 32:38-41; Ezek 11:19-20; 36:24-31) by the indwelling power of the ”
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