Spring 1994

Surrender Produces Power
Pastor Alex Kvasnikoff
Alaska

"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" Matt 26:39 NKJ.

The Son of God had made the greatest decision in His life, "Not as I will, but as You will." Jesus, our perfect example, surrendered all to His Fathers will. Only as we identify with Him in this victory can we receive the enabling power to live for God.

The Apostle Peter truly loved Jesus and was willing to go all the way with Him. Without realizing his own natural weakness, however, he promised that which lay beyond his ability to perform; "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended."

When the test came, Peter failed to identify himself with Jesus at the very time he should have been a true witness. He had not yet surrendered all, therefore his natural responses came short of his declaration. However, he learned from this mistake. On the day of Pentecost, Peter, who had now fully surrendered his life to the Lord and had received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, spoke with boldness to unbelievers who witnessed the mighty results of God's power.

Now Peter can say to the man who had been lame since birth, "Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I unto thee, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." No greater victory ever came into Peter's life than on the day when he surrendered all to the Lord.

"Not as I will, but as thou wilt."

Paul stepped out in his own strength to destroy Christianity by beating and imprisoning those who believed. We still see on every hand, the witness that unredeemed man is against God. But Paul fully met the Lord and was transformed. His testimony demonstrates that he surrendered all to Christ and was thankful that he was not disobedient to "the heavenly vision."

"But for Christ's sake I have counted all that was
gain to me as loss. Yes, indeed, I certainly do
count everything as loss compared with the priceless
privilege of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His
sake I have lost everything, and value it all as
mere refuse, in order to gain Christ and be actually
in union with Him" Phil 3:7-9a Williams.

As a result of this full surrender, Paul experienced boldness and power in Christ throughout his life. His last testimony was,

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up
for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the
righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not
to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing" II Tim 4:7-8.

The Lord has set before each one of us a challenge and a commission. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also: and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" John 14:12. Only when we have surrendered all to Him can this level of spiritual power be manifested.

In our day, much comfort and luxury has robbed many of the true power of God. All too often, talk about past visitations, or some man-made substitute, has replaced our surrendering all to Christ in the secret closet of prayer.

The surrender that the Lord calls for is within the ability of each one of us to make. Many times, the desire for worldly goods and pleasures hinder our making this commitment to live a true separated life for God. However, the greater loss results from our not making this commitment.

Surely, our greatest fulfillment and security rests in our complete surrender to Christ. It is the secret to spiritual power, and the answer to all human weakness.

"Not as I will, but as thou wilt."