I have often wondered what true surrender is? Is love the reason why people respond to an altar call? I have discovered that the most intimate marriage there is is the one you have with Christ. But for those who have recently discovered Christ because of the familiarity of the spirit (I mean we are from him) but do not know him, what makes them respond, is it the love they have for Christ? When I read the old testament often the Israelites would sin then come back to God in times of distress and ask for his help and truly tap into the nature of God's mercy. Our loving God would respond to their tears that despite what they did (even worshipping other gods), His love would prevail above it all and they would be saved. Often this was the cycle and God would forgive and meet the Israelites needs.
In the new testament, people came to Jesus most of whom needed something from Him like healing and He would heal them. Others were fascinated in what sounded like a new gospel that satisfied their souls hence they would gather to hear him teach. And there were those who simply loved Him and followed Him. And yeah let's not forget those tried to catch him out because of jealousy (the subject of another day).
Practically speaking when one meets a person that looks like a potential partner, often one likes the person and necessarily love that individual. To love another takes time that is invested in knowing that individual. However, I have come to believe trust comes before love. These people trusted that they would be healed, faith-driven by the testimonies they have heard. He (Jesus) did not have a failure rate and had a success rate of 100% and this spoke volumes to those who needed healing in all aspect physical (numerous accounts), emotional (the Samaritan woman), spiritual (all who heard His teachings).
So those who come to Christ, come to Him because they know He will satisfy their needs and I believe that is the altar call is done after the preaching/teaching. These individuals respond by faith and trust that He can be trusted. Just because one loves another does not mean that that individual can be trusted. However, when you trust one, one's dependability on that person is increased and surrendering to that individual is easy. Consequently, with time one begins to love that individual because of the spent with Him. To believe His promises becomes easy since He has never failed you. Therefore, trust comes before love and since It is God who breaks no one's heart, this relationship is the most intimate marriage one will ever have better than marriage to Prince Charming in this earth (humans are limited and they make mistakes). So trusting and surrendering to the all Perfect one, who knows your beginning and end, who knows the plans He has for you, plans to prosper you to give hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). The more you spend time with Him through prayer and the word, the more you love Him because you understand nature and the fact that He loved you first and through all our sinful ways. So take the first step and trust Him.
