Fully Surrendered

Anneta Pinto-Young 2 Minutes
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).

Jesus once told his disciples that whoever loved his life would lose it, but those who are willing to give up their lives in this world will keep it (John 12:25). This is quite an anomaly as you can’t quite lose your life and keep it at the same time. The losing and keeping which Jesus spoke of was, losing one’s self to the world and it’s desires and gaining a spiritual life which lasts into eternity. Jesus shared these teachings in the lead up to his crucifixion. He also stated that a seed had to fall to the ground and die, in order to be raised up again and live. I used to listen to my Dad perform baptismal services.

This is the line that my father used to say. ‘I am glad that I am at your burial and not your funeral.’ A burial for him meant, dying to the wages of sin and having the deeds of the flesh buried in water baptism. The idea was that the baptismal candidate would arise out of the water, a new person, the old person having been buried. I don’t have the time to argue with anyone, about the doctrinal accuracy of my father’s sayings. What I know is that I understood what he meant. Remaining in sin means staying alive to the deeds of the flesh. Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour is becoming a new creature and taking on a new nature.

Paul also spoke of righteousness through faith in Christ. He spoke about our worship through Jesus and having no confidence in our flesh. This is because the works of the flesh cannot save us. We can do nothing to save ourselves and salvation is a free gift from God. “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:7). Paul was willing to give up everything for his new life in Christ. He described himself as a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee and a persecutor of the church. Paul had power, status and privilege and was a person with earthly significance. Imagine going from main persecutor of the church to being an apostle of Jesus Christ.

The apostles knew of the sacrifice and the consequences of their commitment to spreading the gospel. They saw what happened to Jesus and other disciples who promoted the gospel. Paul was among the inner circles of the Pharisees, so he knew first hand their mindset, power and of the harm that they were able to inflict on others. Nevertheless, he saw the need to reach lost souls as more important than his own life. Are you able to weigh the balance of your life’s work, to determine what percentage goes towards the furtherance of the gospel? Only what we do for Christ will last into eternity.

A.P.-Y.

Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

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44 thoughts on “Fully Surrendered”

  2. Amen…something to weigh up:
    percentage goes towards the furtherance of the gospel?Yes…this is definitely an aspect each follower of Christ and the church should be evaluating!In our region I am very concerned about this and praying for more believers to come to the arena and not sit and the benches…

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Amen 🙏🏾. We have a mandate in the marketplace to let our lights shine so others can see. We come in contact with more sinners during the week at work than we do on a Sunday at church. The market place is a ready mission field but too many believers think ministry is in the four walls. This is a great deception. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

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  3. Love your dad’s saying and I will remember that! Absolutely biblical. Remember that Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ…nevertheless I live”? Buried with Him in baptism and living with Him by grace. Have a blessed day.

    Liked by 3 people

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  4. “…This is the line that my father used to say. ‘I am glad that I am at your burial and not your funeral.’ A burial for him meant, dying to the wages of sin and having the deeds of the flesh buried in water baptism. The idea was that the baptismal candidate would arise out of the water, a new person, the old person having been buried…”

    This is what I believe about baptism.

    Romans 6:4-5
    Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
    For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection…

    This further adds to what you spoke about the seed being planted.

    I agree, wholeheartedly.
    God bless you Anneta

    Liked by 2 people

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      1. If my dad were still here, I would also share with him what I have seen. You are blessed to still have your father, and if I were him, I know he would be very proud of you.
        Every dad and mom who loves the Lord wants to see their children’s spiritual fruit.
        Again, God bless you

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Yeah. Your Dad left you a great legacy. My Dad is really proud of all of his children. I’d like to convince my siblings that he is more proud of me than everyone else, but they won’t buy it. 😂😁😅😆We do have a certain connection because I believe that I am the child with the personality that is most like his. Bless you. ☺️ How many of you in your family and are you the eldest?

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I think we know how to identify with our parents, so yup, you probably are the one your dad is most proud of 😁.
        I have four brothers, and two sisters.
        Two of my brothers and one of my sisters serve the Lord, but I believe the rest will come around before long.
        My dad had a love for the Lord and the Word. I miss him very much.

        Liked by 2 people

      4. Wow 7, God’s perfect number. We are 8, 4 boys and 4 girls and everyone currently serves God. We have had to pray in one or two who took a while to surrender, but God is working. Your siblings will serve the Lord. 🙏🏾🙌🏾

        Liked by 2 people

      1. One of the babies…hehehe! I love your dad’s baptismal message also. I’ve never heard that before, but I am sure that those are very encouraging words to the one who is being washed by the Word…as it should build his/her faith in the Grace of Jesus Christ and The Power of The Holy Spirit.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Well it seems that God has stamped and approve your dad’s spin on the Word😎God has indeed blessed him with long life because he raised his children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord…especially the baby…that’s next to the ‘real’ baby😇

        Liked by 1 person

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