In Sunday’s message at church, we learned about The Commitment Choice: choosing to commit all of my life to Christ’s care and control.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
What keeps us from committing ourselves completely to Christ’s care and control?
There are 5 barriers we face when trying to make the commitment to let go and let God. These are the things we need to bring to mind when we pray, asking for God’s help in putting these things aside and allowing Him to take complete control of our lives.
Pride
Pride creates the illusion that we can make it on our own. It leads us to believe that we can maintain control of our life. Pride keeps us from admitting our weaknesses and isolates us from healing.
12 “Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor”.
Proverbs 18:12 NIV
Guilt
Guilt makes us feel like we can’t run to God because we’ve messed up too many times. Psalm 40:12 God knows our worst moments, He was there with us through every mistake. There’s no sin He can’t or won’t forgive.
18 “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,”
Isaiah 57:18 NIV
Fear
Fear is the opposite of faith and it always creeps up when we don’t surrender to God. The fear of shifting from our earthly securities to trusting God to sustain us is one of the largest barriers for any of us to overcome. We fear losing control but at some point we must choose who or what will control us.
22 “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free”.
Isaiah 44:22 NLT
Worry
Worry does not allow you to make the right decisions. It clouds your judgment and influences you towards doing for yourself instead of trusting in God’s plan.
6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”.
Phil. 1:6 NIV
Doubt
Doubt cancels faith, period.
31 “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’”
Matthew 14:31 NIV
How do we commit all our life to Christ’s care and control?
Accept God’s Son as your Savior.
It all begins with surrender to Jesus. Most of us have already done this however, it is always good to recommit our lives and remember it’s all about Him.
31 “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.’”
Acts 16:31 NLT
Accept God’s Word as your standard.
Jesus followers make God’s word their final authority. They identify specific needs in their life and then apply God’s truth to it over and over.
16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
Accept God’s will as your strategy for living.
You’ll find joy in doing it.
8 “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”
Psalms 40:8 NLT
Accept God’s power as your strength.
God enables us to do it His way by equipping us for the journey ahead and giving us His strength to persevere.
13 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Phil. 4:13 NLT
Each day this week, we are going to focus on praying for specific areas of our lives that we need to commit to God. As always, start the week with personal prayer for the surrender of our control to God. Pray for your family, friends, co-workers, and release them to God’s care. Continue to pray this week interceding for all those who you know need salvation.
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