Surrendering to a Full Life

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

This past Sunday, Loïc brought us an important message on being ready in the face of judgement and the coming of Jesus. As in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, it is paramount for us to keep our lamps trimmed and oiled for the coming of the Bridegroom, so that we may be ready to enter his Holy Banquet and feast by his side. Today, I want to reinforce that message by looking at Jesus’ words in John 10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” While it is utterly important for us to prepare ourselves for judgment, I believe we often miss that this preparation really is a full surrender that presently yields total change in our lives. Let me explain.

I think many of us have not fully taken hold of the promise Jesus presents in the fullness of life found in him. We may have surrendered aspects of our lives to him, but what Jesus is offering is on the basis of an all-or-nothing transformation- the promise of life in Christ is not a better life, it’s the promise of the best life you can have right here and now. We have the opportunity for radical change in our lives right at our fingertips! The only thing required is to give over control of the things to which we so desperately cling.

 

What we don’t realize in not giving control is that we aren’t receiving an inferior life in return, but one far greater than what we can imagine: a life that offers us security founded on the rock of God rather than the sands of our own capabilities and possessions. When we hold onto our time, our money, or our priorities over God, we are living a lesser version of the life he has in mind for us. Only when we adhere ourselves to the practice of becoming living sacrifices to the Lord (Romans 12:1), do we make ourselves available for the renewal of our minds that follows (Romans 12:2).

 

You see, preparing and readying ourselves for judgment is really one of the first steps to full life in Christ. Only when we surrender do we gain access to the intangible blessings found through Jesus. And only when we are surrendered are we able to then partake in the blessed Gospel work Christ calls us to. Reflecting on our own lives, how many opportunities may we have missed to reach out to others in their time of need? How many times have we missed the Lord’s yearning to work in and through our lives?

I kindly urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to examine your own lives today. See the areas that are in need of surrender and bring it to the throne of God. Let him take control, and let him open your eyes to the blessed life only available in Jesus our Savior.

In Christ,
James Wood