The Power of Surrender
When it comes to matters of faith, many of us struggle to reconcile our intellectual curiosity with the unseen nature of spirituality. A young scientist I met at M.I.T. embodied this conundrum perfectly. He approached me after a talk, declaring that he couldn’t believe in anything he couldn’t see or test in a laboratory. To him, religion was merely a matter of blind faith, lacking substance and validity.
I gently steered him towards John 7:17, asking him to read it aloud. The verse says, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.” I asked him if he understood what Jesus was saying. He hesitated, unsure.
The Willingness to Surrender
I pointed out that his problem wasn’t his intellect, but rather his willingness to surrender to God’s will. Were there relationships in his life that he wasn’t willing to let go of? Were there moral compromises he wasn’t willing to relinquish? A look of surprise crossed his face, and he asked to speak with me privately.
In our private conversation, he poured out his heart, acknowledging the presence of sin in his life. He had been living with a young woman without being married, and he knew it was wrong. He felt like a fraud, a sham, and a hypocrite. But he wanted to change, to terminate the relationship and receive Christ into his life.
A New Path Forward
I’m thrilled to report that soon after our conversation, he and the young woman both surrendered their lives to Christ and got married. Today, they’re making their lives count for the glory of God.
Reflection and Action
As we reflect on John 7:14-18, let’s ask ourselves: Are we willing to do God’s will, even when it’s difficult? Are there areas in our lives where we’re holding back from surrendering to Him? Today, let’s confess and turn from all known sin that keeps us from knowing and doing God’s will. And let’s share this message with others, that they too may find the freedom and joy that comes from surrendering to God.
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