“Your Sword, Sir”

“Your Sword, Sir” by Dr. D. James Kennedy

"I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice …" Romans 12:1

When the Revolutionary War was over, the British general came to surrender to Washington. The general began to praise Washington for his leading of his troops (a much smaller army than that of the British), the tactics that he had employed, and the incredible things that had been done, which amazed even him. In the midst of the praise, Washington interrupted him and said, “Your sword, sir.”

It is not for us to begin to praise God until first we have surrendered ourselves and our sword to Christ. This is the army of the conquered—those that have been conquered by Christ.

When our hearts have been won and our wills have been taken over by Christ, when the sword of our rebellion is knocked from our hands and we are brought to the ground, only then will we abandon all lesser goals and all lesser aims, and give ourselves over to the highest and the best. Those who are most thoroughly surrendered to Him are the greatest trophies of grace and will have the greatest victories.

Our will was created good, but in Adam’s fall, the will of man became rebellious and self-serving. Only when our will is submitted to God are we free again to offer ourselves as our spiritual worship.