(a typical blog post)

I often wonder if we, as Christians, truly know what it means to fully “surrender.” Have we ever stopped to consider whether we are living surrendered lives, or are we merely scratching the surface? Time and time again, I’ve thought I was fully surrendered, only to realize that I haven’t quite died to self. It’s easy to believe we’ve let go, but when our ambitions and self-seeking motives rise to the surface, we realize surrender is deeper than we imagined. I’m not even referencing the obvious things we must do and/or abstain from to glorify Christ with our bodies… but what about the (seemingly) little things? After all, scripture does say “….the small foxes destroy the vine…” (Song of Sol. 2:15) What does it truly mean to surrender, to die daily? Every decision, every choice must be made with the mindset of a bondservant. A life fully laid down is a life that no longer belongs to itself.

Don’t be so quick to think this message isn’t for you. Could it be that, even mature believers sometimes fall into the trap of being influenced by people, circumstances, or our own desires rather than God? It’s worth reflecting on.

It’s true that God gives us free will. I’m not talking about asking the Holy Spirit whether you should wear purple pants or if you need permission to start your car. Rather, I’m referring to the daily laying down of fleshly desires—the deep internal workings where the Holy Spirit nudges us with, “Maybe I shouldn’t say that,” or “Perhaps I should wait before I move forward.” A surrendered life means that we can’t simply do whatever we want and expect God to bless and/or clean up our mess afterward.

What Does It Mean to Be a Bondservant?

A bondservant is, in essence, a slave—a beautiful paradox of being freely enslaved to Christ. Unfortunately, many of us have bitten the fruit of deception, rejecting servanthood to Christ in exchange for the false liberty the world offers. You may live however you want, but there’s always a cost. The leash of living a fully surrendered life gets shorter and shorter the more we submit to Christ—but that’s where we find freedom. You don’t have to pay with your peace, or sacrifice your soul, when your life is laid down.

This is where it gets real. A life laid down is freedom—freedom from the hardened places in your heart, allowing a clean, steady flow of God’s love. It’s a life free of offense, backbiting, gossip, and self-serving ambition. Instead, it’s filled with love and consideration for others. Forgiveness flows freely in a surrendered life. Jesus laid His life down for those who spat in His face—literally mutilated His body—just to use Him as a stepping stone to get closer to God. That is a life laid down.

Paul said it best in Philippians 1:12-14 when he spoke of being in chains for Christ. His suffering became a tool to advance the gospel, emboldening others to speak the Word without fear. Just like Jesus, Paul’s chains became the means through which others could see Christ more clearly. His chains were used to give others courage to live fully for Christ. The question is: Are we willing to wear those chains? Can we be a stepping stone for others in the same way?

The Bondservant’s Choice: Loving Jesus Enough to Stay

The Mosaic Law permitted a servant to become a bondservant voluntarily, saying, “If the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master…will pierce his ear with an awl, and he will be his servant for life” (Exodus 21:5-6, NIV). This begs the question: Do we love Jesus enough to allow Him to mark us as His, trading in our self-serving ways for a life fully surrendered?

Jesus himself said, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be” (John 12:26). The real question is, Lord, where are You, and how can I get there? Are we truly following Christ, or are we stuck in cycles of offense, entitlement, or our own stubborn ways of thinking? It’s not always about physical actions but about our heart posture. Are we following Jesus in spirit, or have we let distractions cloud our vision? We need to get to Him.

The Ultimate Liberty in Chains to Christ

To some, it may sound oppressive to live a life fully surrendered to Christ. But in God’s upside-down Kingdom, being in chains to Christ is the ultimate liberty. The world offers success on its own terms, but anything gained that way must be maintained by the world’s standards, and that’s exhausting. When we acquire things through Christ, they’re sustained through obedience to Him. It’s freedom without the weight of oppressive contracts on your soul.

James 1:21 tells us to “humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”

Only those who have experienced true oppression, depression, and being stuck in unbreakable cycles know that God’s way is better. His way breaks the chains that the world uses to keep us bound.

So, the question remains: Is He truly Lord of our lives? Do we love one another as He commanded? Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by how we love one another (John 13:35). Are we dropping people when it’s inconvenient? Do we harbor offense or unforgiveness in our hearts? Or are we laying down our lives for others as Christ did for us?

A life laid down is a life that’s free—free to serve, love, and walk in the fullness of God’s grace.

Have we truly surrendered? Or are we still holding onto our own ways? Is there any hidden unforgiveness or offense tucked away, swept under the rug? Let’s ask God to show us all the rooms in our hearts.

Are we laying down our pride, offenses, and opinions to love each other purely? Or are we holding onto things that prevent the love of Christ from flowing freely through us unto all men?

When we fully surrender to God, it transforms not just our relationship with Him, but also how we treat others. True surrender spills over into our relationships with one another.

Psalm 16:2-3
O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

The Call to Surrender
At the end of the day, it’s in the laying down of our lives—our will, preferences, desires, and offenses—that we find freedom, love, and true service to God.

When we hit a wall and no longer know how to surrender, forgive, or let go, I’m so grateful we serve a Jesus who is willing to teach us through His Word and His Holy Spirit. It’s only when we come to Him with a pure and sincere heart that God steps in to help us. Because it does matter—this decision and level of surrender impacts our souls, our effectiveness on earth, and our place in the kingdom of heaven.

“For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” Luke 9:48b

Together, we’ll respond to this call to surrender, leaving nothing held back.

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