Last week we talked about how the truth that though we are powerless to change ourselves, we are not without hope for change. There are two ways to live: (1) on our own strength according to our own wisdom and (2) on God’s strength according to God’s wisdom.

NOTE: POSTS IN THIS SERIES HAVE BEEN ADAPTED LARGELY FROM A STUDY CALLED “CHRISTIAN RECOVERY” FROM PROVIDENCE CHURCH.

Running our own lives seems liberating, but it is actually the way of slavery—to self, to sin, and to the powers and principalities of this world. God’s way seems enslaving, but it is actually the way of true freedom. We tend to think that freedom means complete autonomy, but there really is no such thing.

We are all slaves to something, either to sin or to God. True freedom comes from serving the right master—the God who exalts his servants by adopting them as his sons. Until we give up on trying to be in control, we will not be able to change in the ways we need to. There is no other path that will result in spiritual freedom, spiritual health, or spiritual fruit in our lives except surrendering ourselves to God. He is the one in control, and his ways lead to life.

DISCOVERING THE PRINCIPLE IN SCRIPTURE

The principle of surrender is a paradox: we surrender in order to gain true freedom. Let’s look at a passage that highlights this paradox and as we read this, I just want you to look for what it says about slavery and freedom and what it means to surrender to God. Read Romans 6:15 – 19

Paul says that we are “under grace.” To be under grace means to be under its rule. Sin no longer calls the shots in your life. You are under a new regime now, the reign of grace. So, if you give yourself to sin because you are “under grace” … then you don’t understand the basic principle of how God changes us. God saves us in order to sanctify us.

  1. How does this passage describe slavery and freedom?
  2. Autonomy is one of our culture’s biggest values. Autonomy is essentially self-rule, it is independence or freedom to do whatever we want. What does this passage teach us about our notion of autonomy?
  3. How do you know what you are enslaved to, what you are serving?
  4. What do you think it means to “present your members as slaves to righteousness”?

This passage shows us that there are only two paths: slavery to sin or slavery to God. Slavery to sin leads to unrighteousness and death, while slavery to God leads to righteousness and life. Therefore, if we want to experience true change, we must surrender ourselves to God.

APPLYING THE PRINCIPLE

We are going to apply this principle to specific areas of our lives. This exercise walks through these three elements: 1) Acknowledging the desires that control us, 2) Exposing the destruction of doing things our way, and 3) Rejoicing in God’s way. Remember, the more specific you can be about your actual life, the better.

Acknowledging our controlling desires. Autonomy and unadulterated freedom is a myth; we are all controlled by something. Surrender starts by acknowledging the influences and desires that are controlling us.

  1. What is the specific struggle in which you would like to experience change? Describe how this plays out in your life.
  2. What are the underlying desires or influences that fuel this struggle? What causes you to act or think the way you do in this area?

Exposing the destruction of our way. When we follow our own way, being controlled by our self-centered desires, it leads to all kinds of destruction and perversion in our lives. Surrender continues by exposing the folly and unfulfillment of doing things our own way.

  1. What is it that I am after? What outcomes am I longing for? What am I trusting in to bring fulfillment?
  2. How are those things ultimately self-centered? And unsatisfying?
  3. How is my sin negatively affecting me, others, and my relationships?

Rejoicing in God’s way. Living God’s way is the only reliable path to joy and fulfillment. God made us, God loves us, and God knows what’s good for us. Surrender ultimately means committing to a life of obedience to God—doing things his way.

  1. What would obedience to God look like in this area of your life?
  2. What fruit would that obedience produce?
  3. How does God satisfy my longing in ways that sin can’t?

 

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT FOR GOING DEEPER

Below is a chart to help you think through this principle as it relates to your specific struggles. We have given the example of anger. Identify and articulate three more areas where you need to surrender to God, and discuss them with your mentor. Spend time meditating on 1 Peter 2:21 – 25 this week.