YouVersion Logo
Search Icon

Surrender: Finding Freedom in JesusSample

Surrender: Finding Freedom in Jesus

DAY 9 OF 14

A Surrendered Life

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.

Day 8Day 10

About this Plan

Surrender: Finding Freedom in Jesus

Is it possible to find freedom in surrender? That's just what Jesus taught—freedom comes through surrender to God. To be a follower of Jesus we have to surrender everything to him, but on the other side of surrender, Jesus offers us freedom—freedom from sin, but also freedom to live fully, with joy, in Christ. This 14-day devotional series guides you through Jesus's teaching on surrender.

More