Imagine if you will the words to a familiar hymn, with a slight twist…
Most to Jesus I surrender; most to him I freely give; I will ever love and trust him, in his presence often live.
Much to Jesus I surrender; humbly at his feet I bow, worldly pleasures mostly forsaken; take me, Jesus, after I clean up my life.
A lot to Jesus I surrender; make me, Savior, somewhat thine; fill me half-way with thy love and power; sort of know that thou art mine.
Some to Jesus I surrender; Lord, I give what is comfotable to thee; give me thy love and power; let thy blessing fall on me.
A little to Jesus I surrender; later I’ll feel the sacred flame. O the joy of fulfilling self! Glory, glory, to my name!
It doesn’t sound quite right, does it? Sadly this is the heart-cry of many a so-called follower of Christ in our churches today. Is it any wonder that we don’t see God work like He once did? Ought we be surprised at the worsening spiritual climate in our great nation? The key duty of God’s people has been neglected. Romans 12:1 says, “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.”
The world says, “Look out for number one!” God says, “Crucify self!” God expects (and reasonably so) for every one of His children to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow [Christ].” (Luke 9:23) The Bible also plainly declares, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24) You are either serving God or serving self. You cannot possibly hope to live for yourself most of your week, and expect God to be pleased with the two cents you throw His way on Sunday and Wednesday. Your entire life belongs to God. He bought it! He has every right to it! (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)
The only options are yielding fully to God, or fully rebelling. Partial surrender doesn’t earn you any brownie points with God.
On the bright side, God has wonderful blessings in store for the believer who will simply surrender to Him in humble obedience:
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9 & 10