Spirituality: The Surrender of the Will

Spirituality: The Surrender of the Will   Rom 12:1-2

As we continue on the journey to spirituality, we must consider the aspect of our will and our commitment to God.  As we saw last week the first step to spirituality is the New Birth.  This week, as we take the second step, we will see that we must be surrendered in all areas of our lives so that we can be spiritual.

Paul wanted the Romans to understand that commitment to Christ involved constant surrender.  The same is no less true for us as it was them.  However, this does not come easily.  But, there are some actions we can take to help us become more spiritual.

Read.

Charles Stanley wrote about Christians being like the pilots of a giant airliner.  When taxiing down the runaway they reach a certain point where they must make a commitment to take off.  Not to do so would end in disaster.  Today, I want to show you how to take off spiritually.  To do this, we will see what actions are revealed in this passage that will enable us to become more spiritual.

  I.  We must fully surrender our lives to Him. Vs. 1

   A.  Beseech means to exhort which means to “urge or incite by strong argument, advice, or appeal”

   B.  Present our bodies as living sacrifices.  Present once and for all.

    1.  Bodies represent the totality of one’s life and activities.

    2.  A living sacrifice – so that God can continue His work through us.

    3.  Holy – set apart to God

    4.  Acceptable – pleasing

   C.  Two reasons for this

    1.  It is the right response for all that God has done for us.

    2.  It is our reasonable service or spiritual worship.

 II.  We do not become like the world.  Vs. 2a

   A.  We must not become conformed to the pattern of this world.

    1.  All worldly activities and not taking a stand for the moral issues in life.

III.  We do change our thought patterns so we can experience change.  Vs. 3b

   A.  The word for transform is the same word used for transfigure in Matt 17:2 “And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.”

    1.  It is also where we get our word “metamorphosis” we may know it from magic acts, but it also means “A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function.”  It is from the inside out.

   B.  The world wants to control your mind but God wants to transform it.

    1.  We must surrender our minds and our wills to God.  When we can pray “thy will be done” then God can control our minds.

 IV.  We experience God’s good, acceptable, and pleasing will. Vs 3c

   A.  We come to approve and desire God’s will for our lives.