In my study on this topic, I noticed that Apostle Paul, who said in Philippians 4:7: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ,” was promoted so highly that in 2 Corinthians 12:11, he said, “I’m not behind the greatest apostles.” When we talk about promotion, many of us think about titles. Titles are beautiful, but I will rather be a deacon that can raise the dead than be a National Pastor that cannot heal a fly.

I preached a message on total surrender one day in church. In those days, only a few members had cars. After the service, a young man came to me and said, “Daddy, from now on, I surrender all to Jesus.” I said, “Really?” He said, “Yes”. I then said, “Good. So, we will now be able to borrow your car tomorrow for a church assignment.” He replied, “But I have to go to work tomorrow”. I laughed and said, “I just wanted to show you that you haven’t surrendered all.” I only asked about the church borrowing his car, and that was difficult for him to agree to. What if I had asked for something bigger?

What could make an individual surrender totally to God and even serve Him without pay? I found the reason in Philippians 2:5-11 which is our Bible reading for today. It started by saying, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” It further told us how great Jesus was and how He humbled Himself unto the point of death, even the death on the cross. Then verse 9 says, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him…” At that point, I knew that the gain always outweighs the pain. Hebrews 12:2 says:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

When you seek the things of God first, the other desires of your heart will also be granted unto you according to His will. When you lay your life down for God, He will surely honour you in return.

There is great joy awaiting anyone who surrenders totally to God. If you surrender all that you have to Him, He will give you more in return. Beloved, surrender all to God and He will bless you far beyond your imagination.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.