RootedinHisWord

Living a life fully surrendered to Christ is not a one-time decision—it is an everyday commitment. It requires denying the flesh daily and choosing God’s way over our own.

“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’”
— Luke 9:23

One area where surrender is often tested the most is forgiveness.

Forgiveness is hard—especially when someone has hurt you deeply, wronged you, mistreated you, abandoned you, or even lied on you. I share this from personal experience. I have encountered hurt, mistreatment, and false accusations, and in my flesh, my first thoughts leaned toward retaliation. But the Word of God reminded me that vengeance does not belong to me.

“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
— Romans 12:19

Even though my thoughts shifted, the emotional impact of the situation was still present. That is why forgiveness is challenging—but also why it is necessary for living a life fully surrendered to Christ. I had to intentionally allow the Lord to take control of my feelings and emotions.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6

I also had to speak faith over my life, declaring things that were not yet visible as though they were.

“Call those things which do not exist as though they did.”
— Romans 4:17

I made a conscious declaration:
“I choose to forgive. I set my heart to forgive those who have hurt me, mistreated me, and lied on me.”

Forgiveness is not something we can consistently do in our own strength. Denying the flesh is difficult, which is why God left us with a Helper—the Holy Spirit.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things…”
— John 14:26

The Word of God instructs us to forgive seventy times seven, reminding us that forgiveness is not optional.

“Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’”
— Matthew 18:21–22

When we choose not to forgive, we keep ourselves in bondage—emotionally, spiritually, and mentally.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him… so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
— Mark 11:25

Unforgiveness holds us hostage and prevents us from moving forward in the journey God has set before us. It also hinders our ability to walk in love and to fully receive the love God desires to pour into our lives.

Which brings me to love.

God is love, and one of the greatest commandments given to us is to love.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God… God is love.”
— 1 John 4:7–8

Love even when it’s uncomfortable. Love even when feelings say otherwise—because feelings change.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:7

There’s a familiar saying: “What would Jesus do?” When we look at the life of Jesus, He did exactly what Father God instructed Him to do.

Jesus carried the cross so that we might live eternally.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8

Everything He endured—the betrayal, the mistreatment, the bruises, the nails pierced into His body—was done out of love.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities… and by His stripes we are healed.”
— Isaiah 53:5

Despite it all, Jesus walked in love, exemplified love, and ultimately died on the cross because of love.

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
— John 15:13

Oh, what great love He has shown us.

Forgiveness and love go hand in hand. You cannot truly walk in one without the other.

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’”
— 1 Peter 4:8

As you continue living a life fully surrendered to Christ, make the decision to set your heart to forgive and to love. Rely on the Lord to help you do what you cannot do on your own.

This is surrender.
This is obedience.
This is love lived out daily.

Thank you for walking through A Life Fully Surrendered to Christ. May the Lord continue to lead you, heal you, and strengthen you as you choose Him—every day.

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