What does it mean to give yourself to Jesus?

[Cyoder]

These questions and ideas have been keeping me awake at night.  These are just my thoughts on this.  I'm not saying they are correct, just what I've been thinking.  I hope some of you can enlighten me.  Ever since I read The Sermon on the Mount, I am rethinking what it actually means to be saved.  I went to church when I was little then lived my entire life pretty much not knowing what I believed in.  Over the last few months, I've come to realize that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  Until recently, I believed I was a "good person" and didn't deserve hell.  Now I know how wrong that is.  I've tried to go back over my life and truly repent all of the awful things and even the small things I've done and begged forgiveness.  I see so many people that believe if you simply believe in Jesus that you have a golden ticket.  I don't know how that could be possible reading the words that Jesus himself spoke. 

These next lines for example should haunt you: Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Also, not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. This does not sound promising for the overwhelming majority of Christians.  He doesn't say if you believe you are saved, he says those who find the way are few.  Tell me where I'm not understanding this correctly. (I hope you do) This makes me think that only the truly committed will be saved.  The people who literally give up their entire life to preach the word of God.  "Normal" people don't seem to have a chance. 

The Lord's Prayer says God's will be done, not mine.  I think this is one key to salvation that I don't comprehend.  What is it to do God's will?  To just believe, follow his commandments to your ability and repent when you fail?  That doesn't seem quite enough.  Is it more like asking God in prayer about all aspects of your life, then trying to follow that inner voice to do his will?  How do you know which voice is God and which is your own? 

To truly give yourself to God, would that mean to not compromise on any aspect of your life? Otherwise, aren't you doing your will and not the will of God?  This is a terrifying thought.  Think about everything in your life you know is not exactly what you believe God would want.  Do you do it anyway?  I sure do.  I'm not even talking about sinful things just more like working for a company that supports Pride month.  I don't believe in that, but I still work here.  Is that not being luke warm?  What does it actually mean to completely surrender to God?  These are just my thoughts.  I'm very new to this and if I offended anyone, it's not my intention.  I'm just really trying to find the truth and understand.  

[Jayne]

5 minutes ago, Cyoder said:

These questions and ideas have been keeping me awake at night.  .  

It's vital to believe.  But the Bible says that even the demons "believe" and tremble.  [James 2:19]

They believe that Jesus is Lord, but it's a head knowledge.  It's like I believe that driving over the speed limit is a violation of the law, but I still do it. [I've got the tickets to prove it.]  Yeah, I feel bad sometimes and I know I should do better, but ..... meh.

But heart knowledge?  It's a changing knowledge because it changes the person who believes with all their heart.  It's like I believe with all my heart that gravity is a scientific law that prevails.  That's why I DON'T jump off a cliff!  My heart AND head belief in gravity makes me trust it implicity.  And know when to fear it.

Some people don't like this analogy between the heart and the head.  They say it's not in the Bible.  They are right.

But how many people, like demons, believe Jesus really existed and will still go to hell because they never trusted him or obeyed him?

A saving belief, a heart belief - so says the Bible in Romans 10:10 - will save you.  And salvation changes you.  There is the difference.

I KNOW speeding is a violation of the law.  That belief/understanding hasn't changed me.

I KNOW gravity is a legitimate law.  That belief/understanding changes everything I do pertaining to trampolines, stairs, and even just simple walking.

Salvation must go deeper than an intellectual process.

[Cyoder]

That is very helpful.  When people say they love Jesus, I couldn't understand it exactly.  I know what love feels like.  I don't know how to feel that in my heart for Jesus.  That in love feeling.  I do believe, and fear God.  I believe in God's laws, and I am doing my best to follow them with the Lord's help.  When I fail, I ask forgiveness and genuinely try to do better. I pray to Jesus for help, mostly to become a better man. One that is more pleasing to God than I am now.  Is that loving Jesus and giving yourself over to him?  I've also been working on letting things go, and realizing I am not in control of anything.  I ask for help with this all the time.  I thought of this as giving yourself over to Jesus as well.  I just see so many people casually say these things without really explaining exactly what they mean.

[Jayne]

22 minutes ago, Cyoder said:

When I fail, I ask forgiveness and genuinely try to do better. I pray to Jesus for help, mostly to become a better man. One that is more pleasing to God than I am now.  Is that loving Jesus and giving yourself over to him?  

Yes, it can be this.  If we love him, we should crave being with him, praying with/to him, learning from his word, being with others who believe and are saved.

Think about it this way since you are talking about "giving yourself to Jesus".

When we do that, we must "take ourselves AWAY from" what we loved before him that is contrary TO him.

Let's take someone who is a porn addict or someone who has a critical spirit - looking down on others.

Turning to Christ means turning away from things like this.  And it's not 100% easy - dependent on the depth of bondage.  Christ can redeem and save and rescue.  BUT we have to let go.

 

[In the Clouds]

In my walk I have been humbled and sincerely tearful to know that Jesus died for me.  What a profession of love that he chose to save me.  It's so deep that He is the desire of my heart that I cannot get enough of Him.  Much prayer and constant communication is spent with Him, resting in the Spirit.  It's an obsession and much of my life, love, and focus is devoted to Jesus. 

We may be in this world and affected by it's influence; but, keep your eyes on the prize.  More of Him and less of self.

[missmuffet]

On 8/10/2024 at 11:41 AM, Cyoder said:

These questions and ideas have been keeping me awake at night.  These are just my thoughts on this.  I'm not saying they are correct, just what I've been thinking.  I hope some of you can enlighten me.  Ever since I read The Sermon on the Mount, I am rethinking what it actually means to be saved.  I went to church when I was little then lived my entire life pretty much not knowing what I believed in.  Over the last few months, I've come to realize that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  Until recently, I believed I was a "good person" and didn't deserve hell.  Now I know how wrong that is.  I've tried to go back over my life and truly repent all of the awful things and even the small things I've done and begged forgiveness.  I see so many people that believe if you simply believe in Jesus that you have a golden ticket.  I don't know how that could be possible reading the words that Jesus himself spoke. 

These next lines for example should haunt you: Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Also, not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. This does not sound promising for the overwhelming majority of Christians.  He doesn't say if you believe you are saved, he says those who find the way are few.  Tell me where I'm not understanding this correctly. (I hope you do) This makes me think that only the truly committed will be saved.  The people who literally give up their entire life to preach the word of God.  "Normal" people don't seem to have a chance. 

The Lord's Prayer says God's will be done, not mine.  I think this is one key to salvation that I don't comprehend.  What is it to do God's will?  To just believe, follow his commandments to your ability and repent when you fail?  That doesn't seem quite enough.  Is it more like asking God in prayer about all aspects of your life, then trying to follow that inner voice to do his will?  How do you know which voice is God and which is your own? 

To truly give yourself to God, would that mean to not compromise on any aspect of your life? Otherwise, aren't you doing your will and not the will of God?  This is a terrifying thought.  Think about everything in your life you know is not exactly what you believe God would want.  Do you do it anyway?  I sure do.  I'm not even talking about sinful things just more like working for a company that supports Pride month.  I don't believe in that, but I still work here.  Is that not being luke warm?  What does it actually mean to completely surrender to God?  These are just my thoughts.  I'm very new to this and if I offended anyone, it's not my intention.  I'm just really trying to find the truth and understand.  

You open your heart to Jesus Christ. You repent of your sins and you give God your life 100%. You put your old life behind you. And you are obedient to Christ in everything you do. You keep the communication open daily to God such as in prayer and reading your Bible.

Are you ready to take up your cross and follow Jesus? Consider these questions:
 

– Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your closest friends?
– Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family?
– Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your reputation?
– Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job?
– Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life?

[other one]

I believe Romans chapter10 is rather specific.  One has to believe in his heart that Jesus was raised from the dead and confess with our mouths that Jesus is our Lord.     I assume that we must mean what we confess.

[Cyoder]

2 hours ago, missmuffet said:

You open your heart to Jesus Christ. You repent of your sins and you give God your life 100%. You put your old life behind you. And you are obedient to Christ in everything you do. You keep the communication open daily to God such as in prayer and reading your Bible.

Are you ready to take up your cross and follow Jesus? Consider these questions:
 

– Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your closest friends?
– Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family?
– Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your reputation?
– Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job?
– Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life?

It won't cost me any of those things right now, which is good.  The more I learn and believe the stronger I will get. 

[missmuffet]

Just now, Cyoder said:

It won't cost me any of those things right now, which is good.  The more I learn and believe the stronger I will get. 

That is exactly how it works.

[WilliamL]

On 8/10/2024 at 12:41 PM, Cyoder said:

What does it actually mean to completely surrender to God?

It means 'not my will but Thine.'

And when you fail on occasions to do so (as we all do), and become aware of your failure, then you repent and ask forgiveness, and keep on learning how to do better. Surrender is by no means an instant process: it is a WAY of living.

The longer that you walk this Way, the more fruits of the Spirit you will see manifest in your life; the memories of which will provide encouragement to you during the times of trial.