When J. Wilbur Chapman was in London, he had an opportunity to meet General Booth, who at that time was past eighty years of age. Dr. Chapman listened reverently as the old general spoke of the trials and the conflicts and the victories. Then the American evangelist asked the general if he would disclose his secret for success.
“He hesitated a second,” Dr. Chapman said, “and I saw the tears come into his eyes and steal down his cheeks, and then he said, ‘I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me. There have been men with greater brains than I, men with greater opportunities; but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart, and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do with the poor of London, I made up my mind that God would have all of William Booth there was. And if there is anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.’”
Dr. Chapman said he went away from that meeting with General Booth knowing that “the greatness of a man’s power is the measure of surrender.”1
We are well familiar with the words found in Romans 12:1. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
There are many other verses in Scripture that admonish us to fully surrender to the Lord.
- Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
- Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
- Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
- Philippians 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
A topic like we have today can make some Christians get a bit defensive, asking, “What more could I possibly give? I’ve already given up everything!” Peter felt the same way and when he expressed it to the Lord, the Lord set him straight.
Mark 10:28-29 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. (29) And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s.
Jesus says, “Nobody has really surrendered all. There’s always more to give up!”
This seems to be a part of our spiritual growth. To the best of our knowledge, we may have surrendered everything today. However, a test comes along, and we realize that there is something that hasn’t been surrendered. Now, we have a choice: surrender or hang on.
Andrew Murray gave these words of encouragement when he said, “God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” And rather than fear full surrender, take the words of A.W. Tozer to heart. “The man or woman who is wholly or joyously surrendered to Christ can’t make a wrong choice – any choice will be the right one.” That’s the joy of surrender.
Again, Andrew Murray made a statement many years ago that could easily be turned into a prayer, provided it comes from our heart. “May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love and joy of God’s presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of myself as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love.”
Surrender to the Lord is not optional, beloved. It is demanded by the God who is worthy of our full and complete devotion. Raise the white flag before God and say, “I surrender! All of me belongs to you.”
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (Romans 6:13)
1https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/the-greatness-of-a-man-s-power-is-the-measure-of-his-surrender
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