Transferring Control

What happens when you surrender your life to Jesus?

Most often, we think of our sins being forgiven and receiving a fresh start in life. These results are absolutely true. But is there more happening?

Yes – you are also giving him control. At that moment, Jesus becomes not just your Savior but also your Lord. At the moment of surrender, you’re giving the Holy Spirit permission to begin the process of transforming how you think, act, and react.

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. – Philippians 2:1-4

As the Holy Spirit works in us, we become less conceited and more humble. We begin to look out for the interest of others and not just our own.

This transformation is a spiritual transformation.

Neurologically speaking, fight or flight is natural response to danger. Our brains are wired in such a way that when sSomething threatens you, you either fight it or flee from it. While that may be how God designed our brains to handle danger, it’s not how he wants us to handle conflict or disagreements.

Ultimately, it’s the example of Jesus we are called to follow.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus – Philippians 2:5

Why is this both a beautiful and radical passage?

It is beautiful because through Holy Spirit we can create a community shaped by the mind of Christ. It’s radical because there’s no other community like this. It’s a community that isn’t based on competition but cooperation. Rather than see people through lazy stereotypes, we learn to see them the way Jesus did.

The man who most shaped my life was my dad. Although I was 29 when he died, his influence is still strong in my life. My dad was a good example. The Apostle Paul could have appealed to any number of good examples.

But he appeals to only one – Jesus.

In doing so, he illustrates how the cross should shape our heart, attitudes, and actions.

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [What kind of God does that?] 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:6-11

What do you think of when you think of the cross? Do you only think of how Jesus died? Don’t miss what Paul is saying: The cross is about how Jesus lived as much as about how he died.

Unlike the pattern of upward mobility we see around us, Jesus chose a path of downward mobility to serve others and show them what God is truly like. Rather than elevate himself, he humbled himself.

Ultimately, the cross is about obedience.

Will I be obedient to God or choose my own way?

What happens when the cross begins to shape your heart, attitude, and actions? It works like this: You become a person who follows Jesus, to become like Jesus, in order to do what Jesus does.