Introduction
Today, on the tenth day of our series on “What Must I Do to Please God?”, we examine the essential call to surrender to Him daily and die to self. This act of daily surrender means letting go of our own desires, goals, and priorities to follow Christ fully. Jesus calls His followers to "take up [their] cross" in Mark 10:21, and Paul’s words in Romans 6:6 remind us that the old self has been crucified, making room for a life led by God. Though the phrase “die to self” is not directly found in scripture, its concept is foundational to discipleship and faithful devotion.
Daily surrender is not simply a one-time decision; it’s a continual commitment to live by God’s will rather than our own. This involves putting aside selfish motives, ambitions, and the pull of worldly desires. When we choose to die to self, we allow God to shape us according to His purpose. Pleasing God requires a life that’s fully surrendered, where every day is an opportunity to let go of self-centered pursuits and embrace God’s calling.
Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!
Mark 10:21 (AMP): "Looking at him, Jesus felt a love [high regard, compassion] for him, and He said to him, 'You lack one thing: Go and sell all your property and give the money to the poor, and you will have [abundant] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].'"
Context of Mark 10:21
In this scripture, Jesus speaks to a wealthy young man who has followed the commandments but still seeks to know what he lacks. Jesus, looking at him with love and compassion, identifies that his attachment to material wealth is an obstacle to true discipleship. Jesus invites him to “sell all [his] property” and to follow Him, thereby choosing a life of surrender over self-reliance. This call to “follow Me” is more than a literal invitation; it’s a call to abandon anything that prevents wholehearted devotion to Christ.
Jesus’ words emphasize the need to let go of attachments that can stand between us and God. Pleasing God requires a willingness to give up anything that hinders our full commitment, reflecting a heart that values eternal treasure over temporary gain.
Romans 6:6 (AMP): "We know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin."
Context of Romans 6:6
Paul’s message in Romans 6:6 centers on the transformative power of being united with Christ in His death. The “old self,” representing our sinful nature, has been crucified with Christ, symbolizing a departure from sin and self-centered living. This crucifixion of the old self is essential for living a life that is free from the power of sin. By choosing to die to self daily, we are saying no to the influence of sin and yes to the new life we have in Christ.
Paul’s teaching here underscores the importance of recognizing that we are no longer bound by our old desires. Dying to self is a spiritual practice that aligns us with the righteousness of Christ, enabling us to live a life that pleases God.
Surrender to Him Every Day
Key Phrase: "Take up your cross and follow Me."
Surrendering to God every day means making a deliberate decision to follow His will over our own. Jesus’ call to “take up your cross” reflects a life of total commitment, where we set aside our own agendas and trust in God’s plans. This surrender is not passive; it involves actively choosing God’s priorities over ours. True surrender requires humility, willingness, and a heart that is open to God’s direction.
To surrender every day, we must acknowledge that God’s ways are higher than ours. This act of daily surrender is central to living a life that pleases God, as it reflects our trust and dependence on Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP): "Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]."
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust God completely, releasing control and allowing Him to direct our path. Surrendering to God daily is an act of trust that aligns our lives with His purpose.
Die to Self Every Day
Key Phrase: “Our old self was crucified.”
To die to self means letting go of selfish desires, pride, and the need for control. This daily death is a spiritual discipline that allows Christ to live through us, transforming us into His likeness. Dying to self involves saying no to our own impulses and yes to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is about choosing humility over pride, sacrifice over self-interest, and obedience over comfort.
When we die to self, we make room for God to work in our lives in powerful ways. This commitment to die to self enables us to grow spiritually, resist temptation, and walk in alignment with God’s will.
Galatians 2:20 (AMP): "I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
In Galatians 2:20, Paul expresses the reality of dying to self, where Christ’s life and purpose replace his own desires. Dying to self allows us to live fully for God, reflecting His love and truth in all we do.
Relevance to Today’s Believers: For believers today, surrendering to God daily and dying to self are foundational to a life that pleases God. In a world that encourages self-promotion and self-reliance, these practices can feel countercultural. Yet, true discipleship calls us to choose God’s way over our own, to die to selfish ambitions, and to embrace a life that reflects Christ’s character. Surrendering and dying to self require a daily commitment to let go of control and allow God to lead us. I must say here, that this is a struggle that I have to often ask God’s guidance with, and I sincerely ask for the prayers of the readers of this narrative to consider me in prayer on this when they go to God in prayer. Ask God to continue to show me and guide me in His will, Amen!
This ongoing surrender is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. It allows us to experience God’s presence more fully, equips us to handle challenges, and aligns us with His purpose. By choosing to surrender and die to self, we grow in our ability to live a life that pleases God and fulfills His calling.
The Whole of What It Means to Please God
While today’s focus is on daily surrender and dying to self, these practices build upon the essential foundation we've already established for a life that pleases God. Over the past days, we have examined the choice to serve God wholeheartedly, the call to walk in Christ, and the necessity of being filled with the Spirit. Each of these steps signifies a life aligned with God's will. Daily surrender and dying to self solidify this commitment, emphasizing a continual choice to live fully for God rather than pursuing our own desires.
Pleasing God requires a heart that is willing to give up control and allow Him to work. Daily surrender and self-denial empower us to reflect Christ more fully, offering our lives as a testimony of God’s love and grace.
Luke 9:23 (AMP): "And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me].'"
This scripture reinforces the call to daily surrender, reminding us that following Christ requires setting aside our own interests and embracing a life of faith and devotion.
Summary
On this tenth day of our series, we explored the importance of surrendering to God daily and dying to self as essential aspects of living a life that pleases God. Mark 10:21 calls us to take up our cross and follow Christ, while Romans 6:6 reminds us that our old self has been crucified with Him. Pleasing God requires a heart that is fully surrendered, willing to let go of selfish desires and follow His leading.
Daily surrender and dying to self are not one-time acts but ongoing commitments. They enable us to live in alignment with God’s will, reflecting His love and purpose to the world. As we continue in this series, let today’s focus encourage you to commit to a life of daily surrender, allowing God to lead you, transform you, and guide you in a way that pleases Him.
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