Title Transfer

2009 Continuing Series ~ Transference

Based on John 3:30: Jesus must increase, I must decrease

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.

Does a clay pot argue with its maker?

Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,

‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’

Does the pot exclaim,

‘How clumsy can you be’?”

This is what the Lord says—

the Holy One of Israel and your Creator:

“Do you question what I do for my children?

Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?

I am the one who made the earth

and created people to live on it.

With my hands I stretched out the heavens.

All the stars are at my command.”
[Is 45: 9, 11-12NLT]

Basic to this transference process – surrender.
... Without reservations.
...... Without question.
......... Without conditions.
............ Utterly, irrevocably.

Surrender to God must be based on complete trust and devotion to God. I must be given over in my will – for no other reason or motivation than that He is God. Period. In humility, Job realized this:

Then Job replied to the LORD :
"I know that you can do all things;

no plan of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel
without knowledge?'

Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me to know.
[Jb 42:1-3]

It’s a transference of wills. I lay mine down in order to let Jesus take control and help Himself to my life. I then allow Him to replace my desires with His and slowly transform my character in His likeness.

Upon my confession and commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ I relinquished ownership – call it a title transfer. And thank goodness for it! I have learned that living independently is burdensome. He is willing to lift that burden if I will only let go.

Don’t let the words fool you into thinking that I’ve yet given over complete control to my Lord. If I am no longer my own, why do I continue to strive as if I am? That’s precisely why I’m faced with the need to give this crucial area attention as my first priority.

If I were to ask myself, “Can I put faith in myself?” my only honest reply is a resounding “No!” Regardless of any bit of competency I think I possess. Can I live the life God desires of me on my own? No!

When you read the strong language used in the Isaiah verses above, the stubborn and rebellious nature of the created toward the Creator is obvious. The pride and audacity in my nature to question the Omniscient One is revealed. Presented in this manner, however, I am easily persuaded of my offensive attitude.

Am I to the point where I will agreeably surrender as such?

“And yet, O Lord, you are our Father.

We are the clay, and you are the potter.

We all are formed by your hand.”
[Is 64:8 NLT]

Verse after verse the spiritual act of surrender is exemplified and espoused in the Bible. We are to deny ourselves (Mk 8:33-35) and become living sacrifices (Rm 12:1-2). We are to be crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20) and to set Him apart as Lord (1 Pt 3:15). Paul gave us tremendous insight into His union with Christ in that he died to himself everyday (1 Cor 15:31).

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said,

“If any of you wants to be my follower,

you must turn from your selfish ways,

take up your cross,

and follow me.

If you try to hang on to your life,

you will lose it.

But if you give up your life for my sake

and for the sake of the Good News,

you will save it.

[Mk 8:33-35 NLT]

I choose surrender that I might become the bond-servant of Christ. I want to be so consumed of God; as the flames engulfed the bush calling Moses to be used of God. Sometimes we will experience a life-crisis before abandoning ourselves into the merciful hands of God. Hopefully, once proven as a safe Refuge and reliable Protector and Provider, I will not consider taking back control.

What do I do when times get tough or uncertain? What then? Will I take my life back then? Will I think I am better able to control things then? Peter addressed that in 1 Peter 4:19;

So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God,

keep on doing what is right,

and trust your lives to the God who created you,

for he will never fail you. [NLT]

Even in suffering we must remain committed to discipleship. It is then that we need God all the more. We are then dependent upon His all-sufficient grace, wisdom, strength, and comfort. Trying to weather the storm on the open seas is not a plausible option.

This life of faith is counter-cultural, for sure! Raised in the “land of the free”, it’s almost un-American to admit that it is more beneficial to surrender. This life of faith in God is often paradoxical. While it is for the weak, that His grace might be exhibited through us, it is not for the weak or faint-hearted.

I guess I liken surrender to traversing monkey bars. I must release my grip and let go of the bar I’m on. Shift grasp. Transfer from one lesser (self) to one far greater (Jesus).

“And after you surrender – then what?” wrote Oswald Chambers. “Your entire life should be characterized by an eagerness to maintain unbroken fellowship and oneness with God.” Now that’s godly wisdom!

Will you ask God to create in you willingness for absolute and immediate obedience in all things? Ask Him to cast away all fear and replace it with trust in His undeniable and unwavering goodness. Hand over the title, the rights to yourself, and transfer control to the Omnipotent Jehovah God.

I yield my will to Your Lordship, Jesus, in faith and devotion. I surrender all rights to myself that You might have Your way with my life.

I have been crucified with Christ

and I no longer live,

but Christ lives in me.

The life I live in the body,

I live by faith in the Son of God,

who loved me and gave himself for me.

[Gal 2:20]