We repent enough to be forgiven, but do we surrender enough to be changed?

SELFLESS

Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6–7 (NLT)

Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” Mark 8:34 (NIV)

Submit To God

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. 1 John 1:9 (AMP)

We repent enough to be forgiven, but do we surrender enough to be changed?

Submit yourselves therefore to God… Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. James 4:7–8 (ESV)

The Submission Struggle

1. Fear of the Unknown

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV)

2. Pain and Disappointment

I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, His merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:19–23 (MSG)

3. Unwillingness to Give Up Control

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8:35 (NIV)

4. Self-Reliance and Pride

Does the Scripture mean nothing to you that says, “The Spirit that God breathed into our hearts is a jealous Lover who intensely desires to have more and more of us”? But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.” So then, surrender to God. James 4:5–7 (TPT)

5. A Lack of Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)

The people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]. Daniel 11:32 (AMP)

Let Go And Let God

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Genesis 32:24–26 (NIV)

Solitude is the audience-chamber of God. Walter Savage Landor

The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,  because you have struggled with God and with people and have overcome.” …So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Genesis 32:27–28, 30 (NIV)

Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done. Luke 22:42 (NIV)