"I surrender, Lord" (4 views) Subscribe   
   From:  8320john1   Dec-4 5:10 am  
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>>where I surrendered to preach<< (From another forum dealing with the subject of surrender) 
This is not a challenge or a rebuke, but merely a platform to launch a question. 

Many phrases become standard fare in various Christian circles, the Baptists have theirs and the Presbyterians theirs, and of course our brothers and sisters in the Pentecostal ONENESS have their "handy quotations," that they all mouth regardless of the truth or not of their statements. 

We often hear of "surrendering" to the Lord as tho the battle was uncertain. The destiny of EVERY man that has been chosen to execute a ministry in His Name is assured. No man will go to his grave with that mission unfulfilled. No man resists the Will of God in triumph. No man can overcome the Will of God. No man CAN walk out on God regardless of what our Arminian brothers and sisters declare. The Will of God is IRRESTIABLE. No man is stronger than the Strong Man. No man can laugh in the Face of the Almighty and walk away unscathed. No man can overpower the Alpha and the Omega when that Will is made known. 

The Apostle Paul as well as others recorded in Holy Writ thought to escape the ministry assigned to them, but found that they were not permitted to walk out on the Divine Plan of Redemption as ministers and prophets. And no man today will escape his PREDESTINATED responsibility IF called indeed to a ministry of whatever magnitude for the Lord of Hosts. Which brings me to the term, "surrendered." 

Is the term, "surredered" the proper word for the effect produced by the GRACE of God? Do we really have a choice? 

"Ah," you say, "gottcha there John." 

"We all have a choice" you say. "We as vessels of 'free will' and we can 'accept' or 'reject' the Mighty Will of God." 

No, no my friend, that is an impossibility. We are not stronger than He and our will is as a vapour compared to the Divine Decree. We are as dust and ashes before Him. Our will is not able to resist His Will and "surrender" is not the proper term at all. 

We came most WILLINGLY, but not until we were made willing in the Day of His Power. It was the GRACE of God working IN you, both to WILL AND TO DO OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE. (caps for emphasis). 

You did not surrender...you were changed, and that by the Will of the Almighty. You then came most willingly. Surrender merely posits a cessation in hostilities and most often without a change of heart. One army forces another army to SURRENDER, but the opposing army is still hostile but unable to respond militarily to the extent we see in Iraq at present. Hearts and minds are not changed as yet. A rebellion still exists tho the official government has SURRENDERED. 

The True Christian minister must be able to say as the Apostle Paul, "...woe is me if I preach not the GOSPEL..." Not the SBC prayer book, or the Presbyterian confession of doctrinal precepts or the ONENESS teaching, but the GOSPEL. If one is not in the position of being a GOSPEL preacher, he would do all a service by staying OUT of the pulpit. 

Is the GOSPEL the central theme in your preaching and teaching? Is Jesus the central PERSON in your theology? Is the "born again" reality impressed upon your listeners? Otherwise one becomes merely a tool of the "church," and that might mean anything these days. 

Back to the Old Time Religion. Back to the men like Norris, Roloff and many others. Men who did not back up one inch in the face of the enemy forces, but constantly moved forward in victory. 

May God raise up great men, that is, men today GREATLY used and anointed of the Lord to speak the TRUTH in the most simple of terms, Bible terms and may Jesus be the single focus of his ministrations. 

It has been said that Paul was a man of One Subject...JESUS!! 

Is it yours? 

Peace and Blessings,
 
  
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