What makes a man A Man, and a woman A Woman? What does maturity look like? What does surrender look like? Come see in this Journal Entry a perspective of what makes a man A Man, and a woman A Woman that you may have not seen before in the Bible!
What makes a man A Man, and a woman A Woman? Maturity. Not maturity as the world calls it, not even physical maturity, but rather maturity in Christ. Being A Man or A Woman is not about what name we can make for ourself, nor what our position in life is. It’s not about what we have accomplished, nor how much or what kind of stuff we have acquired. It’s about surrendering. To be a man or a woman in Christ, we must surrender our all to Jesus. This includes our identity, interests, desires, perspectives, and works. We have to put away childish things – rebellion, disobedience, selfishness, tantrums, lying, sexual immorality, drunkenness, control, manipulation, unkindness, etc., and instead be childlike – trusting and surrendering our all to Jesus (1 Corinthians 13:11).
What does it look like to surrender? It’s like when we have a special gift, and we give it to someone else to care for it, not expecting to get it back. For example, it would be like having a favorite puppy dog that is our best friend, and then we freely give that pet to someone else to trust them with it. Not to ask for the pet back later, but to leave the pet there with the other person whether we get to see the doggy again or not. That’s surrender. It’s a release of control, and control of the process and outcome of what we desire or hold dear to our hearts. We are trusting and letting Jesus hold and care for what we would hold to ourself as valuable or important.
The reason surrendering can be so painful is because we have ungodly soul ties to what we are surrendering to Jesus. Soul ties are attached to our mind, will, and emotions. In other words, our inward senses are being pulled and torn apart. So we feel it. We were made to be attached to Jesus, no one and nothing else. Jesus is always between us and any other relationship, interest, and pet. More often than not, though, we have our thoughts or perspectives, our emotions, and what we will or will not do attached to someone or something instead of Jesus. We are so all wrapped up in that something or someone that when Jesus takes us through the process of letting go and giving everything to Him we feel the process deeply, even to tears and grief. Thus we feel like we are dying. We go through the process of dying to ourself.
To surrender our all to Jesus means we hold nothing in our hearts or hands of our own, we have given it ALL to Jesus. That doesn’t mean we are empty. It means we are empty of OUR ways, will, plans, and agendas; and we are full with JESUS’ ways, will, plans, and agendas. We are not doing things in Jesus’ name, and expecting Jesus to bless it, but rather we are going where Jesus is at, where He is leading us, to be in the covering of His blessing (John 12:24-26). Just because we label something “Christian” or “In Jesus’ name” doesn’t mean Jesus wants those things done, nor that He will bless those things, especially in the timing we want it. By trying to force an issue we can be putting ourself and/or others outside of Jesus’ hand of covering. We can find ourself in dangerous situations because we are trying to force an issue instead of surrendering our all to Jesus.
Where we are still trying to hold onto ourself – something that identifies us, or something that we want; then we are still acting childish. We have not matured, we have not fully surrendered to Jesus. Christ is our identity, no one and nothing else. Yes, we are all uniquely made and will have differences, but our differences are how we are uniquely made, not how we blend in with the world and culture around us. The more we reflect and resemble Jesus, the more mature we are growing because we are surrendering more of ourself to Jesus, and filling up more with His character and will. Maturing in Christ is a life long process. That means surrendering is a lifelong process as well. However, by recognizing the importance of surrendering, we can recognize our growth in the Lord, and where and what steps we need to take to move forward in growth instead of standing still or moving backward.
Where are we at with Jesus? What are we holding onto that Jesus has been pressing us to surrender to Him? Does it mean we will never get to partake of what we are holding onto? Maybe. But what is our life worth by holding onto it? Do we gain the whole world, and lose our own soul (Mark 8:36)? We may never partake of what we are holding onto if we do keep holding onto it; or what we think we want may never be all that we had hoped it would be in the long run when we make it happen. We can be assured that what Jesus has for us is so much better than anything we could do or make happen for ourself.
How mature are we? Have we surrendered our all to Jesus? Or are there still lifestyles, habits, perspectives, projects we’ve worked hard on, identities, dreams, relationships, and/or desires we are holding onto? Let us open our hearts and hands to Jesus, and freely give to Him our ALL to walk in freedom from the bondage of want and control. Jesus’ burden is light and easy (Matthew 11:28-30). In Him and in His way and timing we find all good things in the covering of His blessing. Get close to Jesus to hear His leading of where He has good things hidden for you to find within His boundaries (Proverbs 25:2, Isaiah 45:3).
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 (AMP)
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2 (NKJV)
“For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world [with all its pleasures], and forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36 (AMP)
“I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 (AMP)
“And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is the one who will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God]. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], and loses or forfeits himself?” Luke 9:23-25 (AMP)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:24-26 (NKJV)
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.” Matthew 11:28-30 (AMPC)
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2 (NKJV)
“And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, Who calls you by your name.” Isaiah 45:3 (AMPC)
