As we perceive that God is real and active in our lives we have a desire to learn more about Him. As we begin to sense our sinfulness and our need for Christ we begin to desire a personal relationship with Him. We want to give Him our love but sometimes there seems to be nothing there. How does this work of conversion begin and what is my role in it? We shall see more clearly as we begin our study on surrender.

Note: Righteousness by faith is a transaction; the greatest trade that was ever made! We trade our total sinfulness in exchange for Christ’s holy righteousness. This is the only righteousness that can gain us entrance into heaven. We receive this righteousness of Christ’s when we give up on trying to obtain salvation by our good works or behavior and surrender our will to God.

Note: There are a number of ways that one could kill oneself if one wished. You could shoot yourself with a gun, take pills, etc. but no one can kill himself by crucifying himself. And it’s the same way with surrender. Someone else has to do that for us. That Someone is God. But, because He is a gentleman, He does not force Himself or possess us against our will. He asks our permission first.

Note: We all have to die! Our choice is whether we want to die to self and be reborn in Christ or to die without Christ and forfeit our salvation. The more we hold on to the control of our lives here on earth, the more surely we lose our eternal life. But when we decide to surrender control for the sake of Christ... we gain eternal life!

Note: An instrument is totally controlled by another. Surrendering, or giving up is admitting that we can do nothing. Inevitably, therefore, the work of bringing us to the point of surrender must be the work of God. It is not something we can do for ourselves.

Note: We are controlled by either God or Satan! The only control we have is to choose who is going to control us. “Unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light.” Desire of Ages, p. 324

Note: Submit and draw near to God. Let God fight against Satan in your behalf. You are not strong enough on your own.

Note: “Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered on Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him.” Steps to Christ, p. 47

Conclusion: Instead of wasting our time in good works we need to re- channel those energies into spending time with Christ. As we make the choice to spend time day by day in beholding Christ, as we invite Him to do His work in our lives, He will lead us step by step to the point of surrender. Giving up is possible only when He has brought us up to that point.