The word surrender means to cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority. We picture being in a battle where the enemy has someone surrounded. They may say, “Come out with your hands up if you want to live.” You would have no choice but to come out and surrender.

In such a case you would be at the mercy of your captors, and they would have complete control over you. If you wanted to stay alive, you would do exactly as they said. If they chose to put you in prison, you would have to go, with the possibility of spending the rest of your life there. And there would be no guarantee that they wouldn’t still kill you.

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of an enemy. Many may not have ever surrendered to an actual enemy who bound them in chains and led them away. But none the less they have surrendered to an enemy who has complete control over them and are bound in a prison. Addiction is such an enemy with many prisoners who cannot escape their bonds.

 No matter what prison you find yourself locked in, or what enemy you have surrendered to, there is a way of escape. But it still involves the action of surrender. The only help when we find ourselves in these hopeless circumstances is to surrender our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Even though surrender to the Lord looks similar to surrender to the enemy, it has a much different outcome. We still must come out with our hands up and give God complete control of our lives. We must be willing to be led wherever He wants to lead us, and to do what He asks us to do, submitting to His authority over us.

However, the main difference is that when we surrender to an enemy, we are taken captive by force. We have no say in the matter and are at their mercy. But we do have a say as to whether we will surrender to the mercy of God and hand over control of our lives to Him. God’s mercy is shown in His love, compassion and kindness to us. His mercies are new every morning and great is His faithfulness (see Lamentations 3:22-23).

We cannot get free of an enemy unless he decides to set us free. But we can make the decision at any time to walk away from God’s control of our lives. We can turn our backs on Him and take back control of our lives. He will not stop us. But then we will be at the mercy of the enemy of our souls, who hates us and desires only to kill, steal and destroy (see John 10:10).

Some feel that surrendering their lives to God is too great a sacrifice. They want to maintain control of their lives and make all their own decisions, whether right or wrong. But when we view surrendering to the Lord in the light of His mercy, grace and love for us, it is the best decision we could ever make.

Romans 12:1 says, “Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be His sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights His heart. For this becomes your genuine expressions of worship” (TPT). Surrender to the Jesus today and receive new life in Him.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.