I have been rereading the classic book, Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray recently. Murray lived from 1828-1917 and was a South African pastor, writer, and leader in missions. He was a Dutch Reformed and wrote extensively on prayer, holiness, surrender, the Holy Spirit, and abiding in Christ. Absolute Surrender was first published in 1895 and came from a series of messages he preached at a conference in South Africa.

Murray recounted how he came to use the phrasing “absolute surrender.” He was in a discussion about the condition of the church and the great need of the church and of believers. He asked a man what he would say the great need of the church is. The man answered: “Absolute surrender to God is the one thing.” Murray said the words struck him as never before. He wrote in Chapter 1, “The condition for obtaining God’s full blessing is absolute surrender to Him.” He asked the question, “Are you willing to surrender yourselves absolutely into His hands?”

From a Christian perspective, surrender means yielding every aspect of your life to God. Murray described it as opening every room of your heart to God without reservation. Full surrender in this way leads to peace, power, holiness, and fellowship with Christ.

The book has raised as many questions for me as it has posed answers. It is compelling because it draws the reader to look introspectively at different aspects of life and consider the level of surrender. Surrender is not about trying harder and doing better, but about yielding to God so we can experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s power working through us.

Meditate on these Scripture verses:

Romans 12:1 Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Consider these questions:

Is there any area of my life that I am still holding onto and not surrendering to God?

What do I fear losing if I fully surrender?

Am I obeying conveniently or with full commitment?

Am I so surrendered that I would know it if God interrupted my plans?

How is the Spirit leading me right now?