Surrendering All to the LORD means to give into another’s power or control of one’s life and in return being released from the bondage of sin. Sin is the breaking of divine or moral law by a conscious act of disobedience. In the beginning, Adam and Eve was created without sin (Genesis 1: 26-28; Ecclesiastes 7:29). But sin entered humankind through Adam and Eve when they violated the direct command of God by eating from the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). Since Adam was the first representative for humanity, his sin affected all future generations.
The Lord our God is holy and cannot be tempted by sin or commit sin (James 1:13). “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God came to the earth in human form to bridge the gap between God and man (1 Peter 2:22). In addition, one-third of the angels were also casted out of heaven for sinning before Adam and Eve were created by God (Jude 6).
Humanity fell into sin after the temptation of Satan into sin (1 Peter 5:8). As our deceptive adversaries, he continues to lure the humans into sin. The moral decay of humankind is total in that “the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” (Romans 8:7). Therefore, apart from the Lord Jesus Christ, we are all “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesian 2:1). God restrains the out workings of the sinful heart so people will not live as wickedly as they might in our present day and age. The consequences of this revolt against God are death and the torment of hell. Death is the ultimate penalty commanded by God for sin (Romans 6:23).
Salvation is the deliverance or redemption from captivity (Isaiah 38:20; Psalm 51:14; Jeremiah 15:20; Psalm 53:9-10). Humankind need for salvation is the main teachings in the Bible which goes back to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Salvation comes through our Lord Jesus Christ. When we believe in Christ, we are saved (Acts 16:31). However, we are in the process of being saved from the power of sin (Romans 8:13; Philippians 2:12). Through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ the power of God is released into our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:4) and allows us a foretaste of our future as children of God (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:14).
Our experience of salvation will be completed when our Lord God returns (Hebrews 9:28) and the kingdom of God is fully revealed. (Matthew 13:14-43)
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Scripture Verses for Meditation
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For ‘whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.’” (Romans 10:13)
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Sinner’s Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my sins, and I ask You to forgive me. I open the door of my heart and receive You as my Lord and Savior. Take control of my life and begin making me that person You want me to be. Thank You, Lord Jesus for saving me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
All Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.
By Constance A. Burns, NAAV Volunteer Contributor for Moments of Meditation and Scripture Readings; email: cburns@naavets.org.