How to Surrender to God?

Welcome to Living Word Cast!
I’m Pastor Michael Chilcott, coming to you from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This podcast exists to proclaim, teach, and explore the Word of God together. Our goal is to provide sound theological and biblical guidance on all things Scripture, helping you grow deeper in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re seeking answers, encouragement, or a closer walk with God, this podcast is here to help you stay firmly rooted in the truth of God’s Word.
Today, we're going to be talking about a powerful subject: How to Surrender to God. This is one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the Christian faith, and we’ll explore it in depth, using scripture and real-life examples to help us better understand what surrendering to God truly means.
What Does It Mean to Surrender to God?
Surrendering to God is a concept that can be a bit daunting for many Christians. It means relinquishing control of our lives and yielding our will to God's perfect and sovereign plan. It's not just about giving up certain habits or desires, but truly allowing God to lead us in every aspect of our lives-emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Romans 12:1 says:
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
This is the foundational verse about surrender. Paul urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. But, what does that mean? A sacrifice is something that is given up-something that costs us something. When we surrender to God, we are offering up our will, our desires, and even our future to God’s plans. It’s a daily act of choosing God’s will over our own.
The key idea here is worship. Our surrender to God is not a one-time act but an ongoing, continual act of worship. Every moment we surrender is a moment of spiritual worship.
Cross Reference: Matthew 16:24 says:
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"
Surrendering to God means denying ourselves and following Jesus. It requires us to set aside our own agendas and align ourselves with God's purposes.