By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
The Bible shows many meanings for release according to its usage, from the Hebrew in the Old Testament to the Greek in the New Testament.
Throughout, the overall definition refers to a physical, spiritual, or emotional release. God wants us restored to a whole relationship with Him and freed from the bondage of sin.
The Greek word for release, “apoluō,” is mentioned thirty times in the New Testament. The word can also be translated “to let go,” “to send away,” or even “to divorce.”
There are other Greek words with similar meanings. But my goal here is to give insight into what it means to release everything to Christ or surrender our wills to Him and experience true freedom.
In a world where surrender has a bad rep, the idea of releasing our wills to God seems like a defeat. Sometimes it is viewed as a weakness, slavery, a willingness to accept a prison sentence, or to abandon any form of free will or independence.
The world says, “Bring on the shackles if you can’t think or act without consulting God and following His mandates.”
Releasing everything to Christ is not a form of slavery. It is trust, humility, and release from what the world declares will give us peace and acceptance. Releasing our wills for a divine purpose means we are who God intended us to be.
When we release or surrender our wills to Christ:
- We are welcomed into the family of God and will live with Him forever.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life” (John 6:47 ESV).
- We have the gift of the Holy Spirit.
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 ESV).
- We have relief from worry and fear.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV).
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV).
- We have purpose.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
- We experience living in hope.
“Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 ESV).
Our release from our sinful nature doesn’t happen once. We need to ask for forgiveness, confess, and repent of our sins often. For me, it can be moment by moment! In closing, I encourage you to read the words to an old hymn, “I Surrender All,” written by Judson W. Van DeVenter with music by Winfield S. Weeden, published in 1896. The hymn is in the public domain.
I Surrender All
All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender
Make me Savior wholly thine
May Thy Holy Spirit fill me
May I know Thy power divine.
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior.
I surrender all
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior.
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all.
If you have never surrendered to God, now is the time to give your heart to Jesus. This is total release.
“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 ESV).
Do you have prayerful tips to share with us? Comment below.
cindyhammonds50@gmail.com
My Sunday School Teacher asked us to choose a Bible verse to learn each month.
One of the ones I chose was Matthew 16:24
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it”.
That is a great way to surrender to Jesus!
Thank you, DiAnn for this inspiring message.
Surrender is an ongoing process. PTL He’s patient and gracious to us with that! My absolute most favorite verses of the Bible underscore why we should surrender to God (because He’s bigger and better than everything). Isaiah 64:3-4 says:
“When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence. From ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You,
who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.”
Author
Lana, thank you for your inspiration!
You’ve included many of my go-to verses when I need to remember who I am in Christ.
Especially Romans 12:2. I’m reading Max Lucado’s book titled Tame Your Thoughts, based on this verse. I recommend this book.
Author
Thanks, Karen, and I look forward to reading your book recommendation.
DiAnn,
excellent words of wisdom and faith.
My go to continues to be
“ Be still and know that I am God”. Psalm 46:10
It has gotten me through many valleys and peaks, and each in between!
Bless you and thank you for being you!
Author
Thank you, Joyce. Your kind words always inspire me. Oh, if we could all be still and listen to God.
When I’m burdened or overwhelmed, I pray for God to take the burdens from me. I envision laying them at Jesus’ feet, and remind myself often not to pick them up again!
God does not expect us to carry heavy burdens.
Matthew 11:28-30 tells us of the Lord – “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Author
Thank you, Dianne. How often we want to jerk those burdens back – but out God is faithful.
So good!
Thank you.
Author
Thanks, Tripp. Hope you are well and writing!
Surrendering to Christ requires us to subordinate our own desires, pride, and ego. It’s not easy, which is why the gate is narrow!
Author
Thanks, Tim. Your response needs to be on a meme!