Joe attended the college department at FBC. I was working at another church, but kept running into Joe at FBC events I was able to attend—Bible studies on unusual days of the week, scavenger hunts on Saturday nights, etc. Joe and I became friends. One night the two of us went on “visitation” together, driving my car to the homes of college kids who had visited the church so we could invite them back. Joe was not born again, and our conversation turned to the Gospel:
“Well, Steve, I know what I’ve gotta do. I gotta get rid of these things first,” he said, showing me his cigarettes. “Then I’ll be ready to give my life to Christ.”
“But Joe, you’re not gonna be able to get rid of cigarettes without Him! First, you need to give Him your life. THEN you will be able to clean your life up—with His help!”
That night, Joe surrendered to Christ.
AFTER you turn to Jesus, He will CHANGE you. It is HE who enables us to follow Him and obey Him. We can’t do it on our own—and He does not expect us to. Instead, we need to surrender to Him so He can change us:
“I will give them one heart and put a new spirit in them. I will REMOVE their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, so they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people and I will be their God” Ezekiel 11:19-20.
Surrender to Christ. Let Him give you a NEW HEART—only THEN will you be able to please Him and follow Him. And you don’t surrender to Him only one time. You must SURRENDER EVERY DAY.
“Just as you have trusted Christ to save you, trust Him too for each day’s problems. Live in vital union with Him” Colossians 2:6 TLB.
God, remind us to SURRENDER DAILY. Change our hearts and help us please you, follow You, and bless others every day.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 