Why “I Surrender All” Still Applies
There is a growing movement within evangelical Christianity and fundamentalism that treats the revival era, especially the century between 1850 and 1950 with disdain. I am concerned that we do this to our own hurt. While there were excesses within that era—especially the formulaic manipulation of Finney-ism–God also did wonderful works of grace, not only in the lives of individuals but in Bible-believing Christianity around the world. The greatest missionary efforts since the Apostles occurred during that century and the gospel has spread to almost every corner of the globe.
The criticism of the revival era has extended to—or maybe even extended from—the music of the era. Certainly, many of the tunes of the time seem simplistic and anachronist now, and some of the lyrics can seem overly emotional. But we are emotional people and our faith impacts our emotions. I cringe when I hear criticism of the revival era invitation songs like I Surrender All, Have Thine Own Way, and Nothing Between. This is especially so when the criticism extends to revival-era terminology used in those songs—like the word “surrender.”
Surrendering to our Lord is an essential sanctification principle and we dare not minimize it.
What surrender is not.
Part of the disdain for the idea of surrender comes from mischaracterizing the term from people on both sides of the sanctification argument.
Surrender is not a means of keeping salvation. When we are regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit, it is a once-for-all work. We are in His hand (John 10). He will keep the soul that I have committed to Him (2 Timothy 1:12). We become possessors of eternal, everlasting life, which cannot end or it never was eternal and everlasting.
The concept of surrender is not perfectionism. We do not become completely sanctified when we surrender our hearts. Every believer has growing to do, and that growing is based upon an ever-expanding understanding of the will of God as well as a maturing understanding of self. We move from immaturity to maturity. Surrender is not about our maturity in sanctification, it is about our estimation of who God is in relationship to who we are. He is our Lord. He is our Master. We must surrender to that concept and commit to walking in broken obedience to Him.
Surrender is not permanent. It should be but it isn’t. We often climb back on the throne of our hearts as we resist some aspect of His clearly revealed will. True believers are constantly surrendering their will to His.
Surrender is necessary in some sense but not complete at salvation. If I do not surrender my dependence on my own self-righteousness and completely cast my dependence upon Jesus Christ, I cannot be saved. Salvation is his work, not mine.
What surrender is.
Surrender is a submission to a new identity. He is the Master, I am the servant. Paul constantly reminded himself and others about this when he referred to himself as the doulos (slave) of Jesus Christ. In our arrogance and self-will, we might question what He demands of us, but there is no longer any doubt about who is the boss–who is in charge.
Surrender is an in-the-moment condition. The old invitation song Nothing Between is a good explanation. It means that as far as I know, at this moment, I am surrendered to Jesus Christ in my life. I do not have outstanding sins for which I must ask forgiveness, or disobedient practices to which I am clinging. I am trusting the Word of God and the convicting power of the Spirit to reveal any barrier between me and my Savior (Psalm 139:23-24).
The danger of surrendering “surrender.”
The biggest problem with 21st Century western Christianity is not its irreverence, materialism, superficiality, or even its suspect approach to biblical interpretation. The greatest problem is self-will. All the other excesses spring from this root. Our present Christian culture is a faith on our terms. We want to be in charge. We want our faith to honor our carefully prescribed boundaries within our hearts. We want God’s blessing and our sins too. Jesus will have none of that. As a result, we have a form of godliness, but no presence of its true reality (2 Timothy 3:5). The New Testament has a lot to say about surrender.
Surrender is our essential, reasonable service.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
Surrender is why we call Him Lord.
Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46-47)
Surrender is necessary for walking the Spirit.
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18-21)
Surrender is necessary to resist Satan.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
Surrender must be complete—all of life.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Surrender of life’s purpose is the key to all other blessings.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
There are hundreds more verses on this subject. Before we become too critical of the revival era preachers, teachers, and songwriters we might be wise to acknowledge that the self-will of our era far outweighs the excesses of theirs.
Amen! Someone I know, respect, and love dearly has nothing but disdain for this concept – and I think it hurts his church.