This article is based on a question.  That question is “who have you surrendered to?”  We certainly have choices about what we do and why we do those things.  We also have a choice in who we will serve spiritually.  In this article the goal will be to get all who read it to consider who they are serving.  Are we submitting to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7) or is it the other way around?

     Of the powers that be there is light and darkness (Romans 13:12 and Colossians 1:13).  There is God who is righteous (Psalms 7:9) and Satan who is evil (Revelation 12:9).  The Scriptures plainly declare that we serve one or the other.  When Paul was explaining his work in the Lord to Agrippa he explained the goal of preaching: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).

     Inevitably, with the information seen already in this article, a conscientious person will wonder how one can know whose power they are under.  The Apostle John shows us how we can know: “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (I John 3:8-10).  One thing that is abundantly clear from the words God has given us through John’s pen is that we cannot serve God and Satan at the same time.

     We get to choose who we will serve (Joshua 24:15).  The choice we make is not like choosing what color shirt to wear with a certain outfit.  Eternity is at stake based upon the choice that we make.  Many try to comfort themselves with indifference in spiritual decisions.  Indifference is a choice.  When we choose what some think is the middle ground we have actually chosen to reject the Lord.  Notice what Jesus said: “He that is not with me is against me…” (Matthew 12:30).  The attempt at spiritual neutrality is sickening to our Savior: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).  We are either saved or lost.  We are good or we are bad.  There is no middle ground.

     On the other hand, there are those that think a little bad is not unacceptable to God.  So, they deceive themselves into thinking a little bad mixed with more “good” will cause the evil to be covered up.  We cannot begin to think that we can serve the Lord and evil at the very same time (Romans 6:1-2; 14-15).  God’s people are to be those who cleave to that which is good and hate that which is evil (Romans 12:9).

     God speaks to those who confuse evil for good, notice what Isaiah said: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20)!  When God issues a “woe” we better listen.  Calling evil good no more changes the one to the other than does calling midnight noon make it noontime.  However, there are those who fail to get the applications of lessons such as these.  Thus, let’s consider some applications to the points raised and the overall question of who we’ve surrendered to.

     Society dictates that we accomplish great feats by just trying.  Effort in the eyes of many equates to success.  God is pleased when we become doers of His word (James 1:22).  Many try to pass by this point of truth by arguing that man is not perfect.  Yet, God has supplied us with all we need to do all good works (II Timothy 3:16-17).  Thus, however many arguments we may try, the truth simply is that we can surrender ourselves to the will of God and accomplish what He desires of us.

     Excuses have never been pleasing to God.  From Moses (Exodus 3:11 - 4:12) to those who simply looked for ways out (Matthew 8:19-22), God does not accept our excuses.  Even those who do not know God are not excusable (Romans 1:18-20; cf. Acts 17:30).  Let’s make some applications to all of these points.

     Have you ever seen someone who excused themselves for drinking alcohol by saying they do so in moderation?  They have convinced themselves that as long as they are not drunks they will be found acceptable in the sight of God.  Let’s see how absurd this is.  God speaks of the consummation of alcohol by way of excess, drinking binges, and social drinking.  All three, which cover every form of drinking, are spoken of as things in opposition to the will of God (I Peter 4:2-3).

     If consumption of alcohol for unlawful pleasure can be done in moderation, why can’t other sins be done in moderation?  Could you imagine a husband or wife trying to explain the idea of adultery in moderation?  Adultery is sinful (Romans 13:9).  So is drunkenness (I Corinthians 6:9-10).  There is no such thing as acceptable levels of sin.  One night in an unlawful sexual relationship is just as sinful as one sip of an unlawful alcoholic beverage.  Just trying some alcohol is just as sinful as just trying a different sexual partner.  All sin is equally damning in whatever moderation (James 2:10; cf. I John 3:4 and Romans 6:23).

     Some try to argue that they are being submissive to God while knowingly committing suicide.  Those who know that we are to care for our bodies (Romans 12:1) are still doing things that kill the body.  For example, how can we claim to be living for Christ while we are dying because we enjoy Camel Cigarette brand?  Some will argue that we are going to die anyway, “so why not enjoy it”.  Once again, we find the reasoning of sin in moderation.  Is long term suicide any less sinful than immediate suicide?  The answer is that both are murder with consequences of eternal damnation (Revelation 21:8).  The only difference between instant and prolonged suicide is that prolonged suicide can be stopped, repented of, and forgiven (I John 1:9).

     One other point of application that needs to be made, though there are many others that could be made, is that of fellowship.  We are not to have fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11).  We are not to be part of the world or worldly things (Romans 12:2 and I John 2:15-17).  We are not to have fellowship with those teaching or practicing false doctrine as that would make us partakers in their evil deeds (II John 9-11).  Christians are to be separate (II Corinthians 6:14-17).  Still, many want to find the “but” to these eternal truths.  There are none.  We are not to walk in darkness for when we do we are no longer walking with the Lord (I John 1:5-7)!

     In reality we all know who we are serving.  If it is God whom we serve we are more than willing to give up the worldly things like bad language, alcohol, cigarettes, ungodly influences, etc.  Paul adequately stated the intent of my point saying: “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:8-10).

     If you find that you have not surrendered your life to the Lord it’s time to change that.  Jesus said: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).  Will you give your life to the Lord?  If so, it’s time to find out how.  Whether online or in person, feel free to contact me at the information provided above for the biblical information necessary to cease serving Satan and begin serving the Lord!