The Power of Surrender: Embracing Christ’s Finished Work
IK Gibson
Founder & Visionary
Beloved reader, as the world marks Easter, the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection, let us pause and reflect on the magnitude of what Jesus has accomplished for you and me. This is not just a religious tradition or a fleeting holiday; it is the very heart of the Christian faith and the foundation of your hope for eternal life. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s declaration that the work of salvation is complete. When Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” He was proclaiming that every barrier between you and God has been torn down. The question now is: What will you set aside so you can truly surrender and serve Him?
1. The Finished Work of Christ
On the cross, Jesus uttered the words, “It is finished” (John 19:30, KJV). With these words, He declared victory over sin, death, and hell. The penalty for your sins was paid in full. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV). This is the very heart of the gospel: God’s love for you is so immense that He sent Jesus to take your place, to bear your punishment, and to offer you eternal life as a free gift.
2. The Meaning of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is not a myth or a metaphor; it is a historical fact with eternal consequences. The angel declared, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6, KJV). By rising from the dead, Jesus proved that He is the Son of God and that His sacrifice was accepted by the Father. The Bible assures us, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him” (1 Thessalonians 4:14, KJV). Because He lives, you too can have victory over sin and death.
3. Why Did Jesus Die? The Problem of Sin
Sin is not just a list of bad deeds; it is a condition of the heart that separates you from God. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, KJV). The consequence of sin is death, eternal separation from God. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23, KJV). No amount of good works, religious rituals, or personal effort can erase your guilt. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse you from sin.
4. Redemption and Reconciliation
Through Christ’s sacrifice, God offers you redemption, the buying back of your soul from slavery to sin. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7, KJV). Jesus is the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, KJV). By His obedience, you can be made righteous: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19, KJV).
5. Jesus’ Heart for Sinners
You may wonder, “What ails thee that makes you think God cannot redeem you?” Friend, Jesus came not to condemn, but to save. He said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32, KJV). He showed mercy to the outcast, the broken, and the lost. He told the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11, KJV). No matter your past, God’s grace is greater. Jesus bore your condemnation so you could receive His forgiveness.
6. The Call to Surrender
The only fitting response to such love is surrender. To surrender means to yield control, to lay down your life and will before God. Jesus Himself modeled surrender: “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42, KJV). He calls you to do the same: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23, KJV). Surrender is not loss; it is gain. In giving up your old life, you receive His new life.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1, KJV).
7. Appropriating Christ’s Victory
God has already delivered you; all you need do is believe and receive. The Bible promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, KJV). Salvation is not about trying harder, but trusting fully in what Jesus has done. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV).
8. The Transforming Power of Surrender
When you surrender to Christ, you become a new creation: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV). The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you, empowering you to live in victory. “If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:11, KJV).
9. Your Response: Will You Surrender?
What is holding you back? Is it guilt, shame, addiction, pride, or fear? Jesus has already broken every chain. He invites you to come as you are, to lay your burdens at His feet, and to receive His forgiveness. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, KJV).
If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, do it now. Pray from your heart:
“Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sinner in need of Your grace. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I surrender my life to You. Be my Savior and my Lord. Fill me with Your Spirit, and help me to live for You. Amen.”
10. Living for Christ
Having received His salvation, live each day surrendered to Him. Set aside anything that hinders your walk: sin, habits, relationships, and ambitions. “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2, KJV).
Let your life be a testimony of His grace, reaching out to others with the same love and mercy you have received. “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20, KJV).
Surrender is the key to experiencing the fullness of Christ’s finished work. He laid down everything for you; will you lay down your life for Him? Today, believe, surrender, and walk in the freedom and victory Jesus has purchased for you. He is risen: He is Lord!