Bible Daily

Surrendering to God's Will: The Path of the Christian

Understanding the Narrow Path

The Bible speaks of a narrow gate and a difficult path that leads to life, contrasting with the broad way leading to destruction:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

This path requires us to crucify our fleshly desires and passions:

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24).

The Agony in Gethsemane

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus provides a vivid example of surrendering one's will to God:

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.’ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will’” (Matthew 26:36-39).

Here, Jesus wrestled with His impending crucifixion, demonstrating the human struggle to align personal will with divine purpose. His prayer was not just a request but a profound act of submission, recognizing the necessity of His sacrifice for the salvation of humanity.

The Challenge of Surrendering the Will

Surrendering our will to God's is not an easy task. It involves:

  1. Pushing Past People: Even Jesus sought companionship in His struggle, yet He ultimately had to face His destiny alone, guided by divine counsel rather than human advice.

  2. Pressing Through in Prayer: Prayer in the Bible is often depicted as a battle, not a serene conversation. It's where we wrestle with our desires, as seen in Jacob's struggle with God (Genesis 32:24-30), Moses' battle for Israel (Exodus 17:8-13), and Hannah's fervent prayer (1 Samuel 1:10-11).

  3. Planning to Experience the Promise: Jesus promised rewards for those who forsake worldly attachments for His sake:

    “So Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time — houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions — and in the age to come, eternal life’” (Mark 10:29-30).

This promise encourages believers to trust in God's plan, knowing that His will leads to eternal life and divine rewards, not as a result of our merit but through Christ's righteousness.

Conclusion

Surrendering to God's will is a transformative journey, marked by personal struggle, divine guidance, and ultimate fulfillment. It's a path that leads to peace, purpose, and eternal life, as exemplified by Jesus in Gethsemane. By aligning our will with God's, we not only avoid the destruction of the broad path but also partake in the blessings and promises that come from living in Christ.