Total Surrender

Do you believe in the true God—the God of the Bible? If so, it is vital that you come to understand the one basic attitude that God looks for in people. What is it?

In this world's confused Christianity, many will tell you that God wants us, above all, to "accept Jesus." However, you really need to ask yourself: "Which Jesus?" And what did Jesus Himself say was the most important attitude for a person to have?

Notice this statement by Jesus Christ: "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).

Even in the Apostle Paul's day there were false ministers who were misrepresenting the genuine teachings of Christ: "For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted; you may well put up with it" (2 Corinthians 11:4)! So perhaps you have heard a lot about "another Jesus" who merely requires lip service—but this is NOT the Jesus Christ of the Bible!

It is vital that we have faith in the true Christ who is revealed to us in the inspired words of the Holy Bible—NOT in the ideas and traditions of men! It is equally crucial that we OBEY Jesus Christ—and not just appropriate His name or accept Him with an empty human faith or temporary emotional whim.

The Apostle James, one of Jesus' own physical brothers, was inspired to warn us about empty, vain faith: "You believe that there is one God [the Father and Christ]. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:19–20).

Even the DEMONS believe in God and Christ! That is, they know that Jesus Christ was a real person who was crucified, and that God raised Him from the dead. They were there. They saw Christ's resurrection. They know! But strange as it may seem to some, just "believing" these things is NOT enough! The demons refuse to surrender their lives and wills to God and to DO what He says!

What about you? Are you content to just "believe" that there is a God out there somewhere, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, died for you? Do you have an empty faith, or a living faith that compels you to surrender your life totally to God—to give your life to Him through the true Jesus Christ, and so be willing to DO WHAT GOD SAYS no matter what? That is the kind of faith which is pleasing to God and which leads to eternal life in His Kingdom!

Jesus said: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24–25).

When a young man asked Jesus the way to eternal life, what did He reply? "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17). Jesus was the "Light" God sent into the world to show us how to live. He was our example, yet carnal men have come up with dozens of excuses as to how or why the Ten Commandments were somehow done away.

We have had many articles in Tomorrow's World giving PROOF that true Christianity involves obeying the Ten Commandments! So you must decide whether you will obey the God of the Bible or the religions of this world. It is just that simple.

Simple? It should be simple, but the human mind plays devious tricks on us. For we do not want to be looked down on or ostracized by our fellow men, our family, our lodge or our club.

Many of us are like the Jews of Jesus' day: "Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:42–43). If you find something in God's teachings that may cause you to lose favor with others, will you pull back, disregard it and, consequently, disobey? Perhaps you say, "It doesn't make any difference."

Think about this: "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who TREMBLES at My word" (Isaiah 66:2).

A genuine Christian must remember that he is NOT his own. He is bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ! So it naturally follows that he will strive to obey God fully. A true Christian knows that Christ really is his "Lord," his actual "Boss"! This is the attitude God is looking for: TOTAL SURRENDER to Him. This is the attitude that will show God that—unlike unfaithful Satan and his disobedient demons—you and I will always be LOYAL, having active faith to do what God says.

Ask God for the attitude of total surrender to Him. Take time to learn His ways by studying the Bible. Remember to do what the Good Book says. Read carefully our booklets and the articles in Tomorrow's World. Thoughtfully, compare what we teach with your Bible. Do not worry about "what other people think." Learn to "prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV).

Then, with God's guidance through His Spirit, you will allow Him to build within you that one basic attitude which, if continued, will ensure your place in the everlasting Kingdom of God.