Daily Devotional
First, Surrender

May 4, 2018

I read about a naval battle with Admiral Lord Nelson, commander of the British navy, which defeated the French. The French admiral came on board Lord Nelson’s ship to surrender. He walked up there in all of his regalia, with his sword swinging by his side. And he came with a smile on his face and put out his hand to Lord Nelson. Lord Nelson impassively said, "Your sword first, sir."

There are a lot of people who think they can walk up and glad-hand the Lord Jesus Christ, but He says, "Your sword first." We must surrender first. Jesus is not an appeaser, and He will never make a truce with sin. Never!

First John 3:16 says, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 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" (Matthew 16:24).