Jesus teaches that the act of self-surrender is the very core of His instructions for those who wish to follow Him. This requirement is not a suggestion but a fundamental rule of conduct for every disciple, regardless of their status or worldly possessions. He presents this necessity in strong, authoritative language because it is the only means by which a person can be saved from the demoralizing effects of sin (CSA 15.7). The Savior calls for an entire and unreserved surrender of the human will and wisdom to His divine guidance. He invites individuals to submit their lives to Him so that He may order, mold, and fashion their characters. This process involves taking His yoke upon oneself and adopting the humble, teachable spirit of a little child as a prerequisite for entering the kingdom of heaven (1SM 110.2), (EA 253.3). Christ’s own life serves as the perfect example of this total submission. During His earthly ministry, He lived in constant dependence on His Father, declaring that He could do nothing of Himself. His obedience was perfect and unreserved, as He sought only to do the will of the One who sent Him rather than His own (PaM 20.4), (GW92 376.2).
This surrender is described as a spiritual warfare and is characterized as the greatest battle a person will ever face. It requires the crucifixion of self and the abandonment of any earthly ties or interests that might interfere with supreme devotion to God (PH164 33.2). Rather than a gradual process of leaving off sin, Jesus calls for an immediate turning away from evil and a heart-level renewal that occurs when a person recognizes their own helplessness and falls upon Him for grace (1SM 327).
Ellen Chat