The Third Reich was finished. The glorious kingdom that Hitler had declared would endure for a thousand years was rapidly falling to pieces under the onslaught of the invading forces. Terrified of the vast Soviet armies that were overrunning their country from the east, several high-ranking German officers approached the headquarters of the western front with an appeal for an audience with General Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces. 

“We have come to discuss terms for surrender.” 

General Eisenhower’s response was forthright. “Terms? What do you mean by terms? We will consider nothing except unconditional surrender.” 

Today we might pray, “O Lord, if you’ll just do this or that, I’ll serve you faithfully all my life.” God’s reply will be the same. He accepts no terms except unconditional surrender through faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

God will not bargain with man. Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose from the dead so that we might be delivered from the bondage of sin. God’s uncompromising terms are to repent of our sins—to confess them and forsake them. We must exercise saving faith in Jesus Christ and surrender unconditionally to Him as Savior and Lord. 

Such a commitment puts us totally at God’s mercy—which is exactly what we so desperately need. In this way we are liberated from the tyrants of self, sin, and Satan and are welcomed into God’s family of love, power, and peace. In one sense, salvation is free, but in another, it costs everything. It is still the best bargain known to man. 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:25

~ Pete Lewis