Surrendering Fully to God’s Purpose and Power
Today’s Scripture:
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
— Philippians 1:21 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul wrote these words from a prison cell, fully surrendered to the will of God. He had made peace with whatever the future held, whether continued life or death. His perspective was not one of fear or uncertainty but of unwavering faith. For Paul, to live meant to walk in obedience to Christ, and to die meant to be united with Him forever. This depth of conviction challenges us today to examine how we are choosing to walk with God.
How we live matters deeply. Every choice we make, every word we speak, every thought we dwell on either reflects Christ or it does not. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we do not just make a one-time decision. We commit to a lifelong journey of dying to ourselves daily. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Living for Christ means laying down our desires so His will can be done through us.
This level of surrender can only be sustained through courage that comes from God. He has not called us to walk in fear or self-preservation. Second Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. When we fully trust in who He is, fear loses its grip. We are empowered to move forward boldly, not because we are strong but because His Spirit strengthens us.
To live is Christ means we live under His Lordship. His principles shape our values. His compassion becomes our example. His mission becomes our mission. Colossians 3:3 reminds us, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” True life begins when we stop living for ourselves and start living for Him.
The promise of “dying is gain” is not a morbid acceptance of death, but rather a joyful anticipation of eternal life with the Father. It is the ultimate reward for those who have poured out their lives in service to God. For the believer, death is not loss. It is promotion. It is the culmination of a life faithfully lived for the One who gave everything.
Three Practical Ways to Seek the Will of God Daily and Walk Out This Scripture:
Begin Each Day with Full Surrender.
Pray each morning and give your plans, thoughts, and desires to God. Ask Him to direct your steps and align your heart with His purpose.Choose the Word Over the World.
Read scripture daily and allow it to renew your mind. When faced with decisions, ask yourself, “Does this choice reflect Christ in me?”Act in Boldness, Not Fear.
Step out in faith in your conversations, decisions, and service. Trust that the Spirit of God within you will lead you with power, love, and clarity.
To live is Christ is not just a poetic phrase. It is a call to a lifestyle of total devotion, fearless faith, and eternal perspective. When we walk daily with Jesus, we discover that life in Him is the only life worth living. And when that life ends, we will gain something greater than we could ever imagine—eternity in His glorious presence.