Miss it by a mile

[dedication]

 total surrender =    "unreserved surrender"
That's just different words saying the same thing but how is this done?
The carnal mind is incapable of this according to Romans 8.

The next quotes which Ed shared in the last post, do give more information on "how" --

"Abide in Me, and I in you." Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service. The channel of communication must be open continually between man and his God. As the vine branch constantly draws the sap from the living vine, so are we to cling to Jesus, and receive from Him by faith the strength and perfection of His own character.  {DA 676.2}   

That quote (and others Ed shared) gives us more information as to "how" this surrender is done.
--abide in Christ
-- keep communication channels open between God and me.
-- cling to Jesus
-- have a relationship to Christ
-- by the power of the Holy Spirit who brings truth home to  us
-- be willing to let go of our bad habits
-- be willing to be emptied of self
-- consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ


The theme seems to be that we need a full willingness to co-operate and give consent to a power outside ourselves which will work in us to will and do God's righteousness?

[GraceVessel]

One of the most important aspects of being "born again" is to have a cognitive resonance (understanding that you have boundaries), and that you possess yourself (you are self aware). 

In order to be instructed correctly, a person must have the "reality" that you have "sin in your life".. since all have sinned and come short...   This is truly apparent in the axiom that the closer you get to Jesus, the more sinful you appear in your own eyes (realization) and the more Holy your awareness is.    I've always wondered how awake and aware Isaiah was we he described "Holy, Holy, Holy"..

If we let Jesus into our life (become vulnerable to His influence in our daily experience), the Holy Spirit will direct us (assuming we are listening for God's direction) "in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct they paths"...

A lot of people (religious groups in general) stipulate value by obedience to a creed or dogma.  From a boundary point of view, it is far better for a person to establish boundaries through their own self discovery of Jesus... to wit.. if there is a sense that one can honor God by choosing activities, daily habits, and of course worship... then the choice to obey comes out of a desire to honor God, .. which means any action in which we choose to honor God, grows our faith.

Said another way... a growing faith includes choices, but not out of fear of compliance.  It must come from the inside, thru prayer and vulnerable reflection. (examining the life -- being thankful and acknowledging how Jesus leads us each day and directs us).

I think we sometimes go over boundaries of other believers and non-believers because we feel the desire to "inject" truth into their lives.  I admire God's character because of who He is and because He loves me. Helping others discover this wonderful truth should be the action taken by those who totally are concerned for recognizing God's plan in others. (It means we correct others, and/or reproof... but we first must gain trust). We should look for opportunities in our daily life to bond with other people by recognizing their gifts and showing true compassion.

We shouldn't go around focusing on being "perfect" (for others to gauge our "fitfulness for heaven") rather we should focus on being perfect in our desire to honor God. 

There is no way in my growth with God that I will reach the point where I consider to having "arrived at perfection"... that's God's work in us as we reach close to Heaven's reality -- total fellowship with God.

Said a different way... I shouldn't really care what you think of me... I should care about what God's think's of me?

with kind regards,

Gracevessel