What Jesus Said About Total Surrender and Death to SelfShembull

The Difference Between Surrender and Commitment

He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life 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).

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39).

Commitment is not a biblical word. It is not a Biblical concept. Too often, we hear people say they made a commitment to God. When I commit to something, I am still in control. I still determine how much money I will give to a particular project, how much time I will spend to help someone in need, and to what extent and according to what conditions I will help someone.

The Bible talks about surrender. In "surrender," one gives everything. You withhold nothing. You do not have a claim on anything. There are no conditions. You have no say anymore. You gave up ownership of yourself. You hand everything to God. It is for God to decide what He will do with it.

He asks us to surrender. God asks for everything. God is not into half measures. Whatever we hold back will hinder God's plan for our life. Whatever we hold back, we will have to administrate and keep intact—and in our human brokenness and sinfulness, we do not have the ability to do it.