The Perceived Loss of Surrender: A Gateway to Unfathomable Riches in Christ
For many believers, surrendering fully to God can feel daunting, even frightening. The fear of losing something precious—health, loved ones, financial stability, or a sense of control—creates a barrier to trusting God completely. Surrender is often seen as a gateway to loss rather than a pathway to the abundance Jesus promises.
Yet Scripture reveals a beautiful truth: surrender does involve letting go, but not in the way we fear. It is not about losing the blessings God has given us but relinquishing the self-life—our independent, striving, and limited way of living. In exchange, we receive the riches of Christ, manifested as the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. These are not burdens but gifts, and they flow naturally as we yield to Him.
The Call to Surrender
Jesus' invitation to surrender is central to the Christian life. He says in Matthew 16:24-25, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."
This call challenges our desire for control and security, but it leads to freedom and abundance. The Apostle Paul captures this exchange in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Surrender is not a loss of life; it is the exchange of a self-focused existence for one filled with Christ and His Spirit.
The Fruit of Surrender: The Spirit’s Riches
When we surrender to God, the Holy Spirit begins to transform us, bearing fruit that reflects His presence. These riches are not earned but given, and they replace the striving of the self-life with the abundance of life in Christ.
1. Love: The Heart of Surrender
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” —Romans 5:5
Surrender frees us to experience and express God’s unconditional love. As we relinquish self-centeredness, His love flows through us, transforming our relationships and aligning us with His heart.
2. Joy: Complete and Enduring
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” —John 15:11
True joy is not dependent on circumstances but on abiding in Christ. When we surrender our need for control, we find that His joy fills and sustains us, even in trials.
3. Peace: Beyond Understanding
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:7
Letting go of anxiety and control allows God’s peace to settle in our hearts. This peace is not the absence of difficulty but the presence of God in the midst of it.
4. Patience: Trusting God’s Timing
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” —Psalm 37:7
Surrender teaches us to trust God’s timing rather than demanding our own. The Spirit cultivates patience, enabling us to rest in His perfect plans.
5. Kindness: Reflecting His Grace
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” —Ephesians 4:32
As we surrender, the Spirit transforms our hearts to reflect God’s kindness. We begin to extend His grace to others, even when it is undeserved.
6. Goodness: Living in His Will
“For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” —Ephesians 5:9
Surrender aligns us with God’s will, leading to a life characterized by goodness. It is His goodness in us that allows us to live righteously and truthfully.
7. Faithfulness: Resting in His Promises
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” —Hebrews 10:23
In surrender, we learn to trust God’s promises and remain faithful to Him. The Spirit strengthens our faith, enabling us to persevere through life’s challenges.
8. Gentleness: Strength Under Control
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” —Philippians 4:5
The Spirit’s work in us softens our hearts, replacing harshness with gentleness. This strength under control is a reflection of Christ’s own character.
9. Self-Control: Yielding to the Spirit
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” —2 Timothy 1:7
Surrendering to God involves yielding our desires to the Spirit’s guidance. Self-control is not about striving but about trusting His power to lead us.
The Beauty of Surrender
Surrender may feel risky, but it is the pathway to freedom. As we release the self-life, we discover the Spirit’s work within us, producing fruit that reflects the riches of Christ. This is not a loss but a transformation—a life marked by love, joy, peace, and all the gifts He longs to give.
Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7-8 remind us of this truth: “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” To know Him, to reflect His Spirit, is worth far more than anything we could hold onto in the self-life.
A Prayer of Surrender
Lord, I thank You for the riches of Your Spirit that come through surrender. I release my fears, my striving, and my self-centered ways into Your hands. Let Your Spirit bear fruit in my life—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Teach me to rest in Your presence and trust in Your faithfulness as I walk with You each day. Amen.