Commitment VS Surrender

I heard a message last week about Christian commitment vs surrender.  I wish I could remember who spoke on it but I was at a meeting with several speakers and I can’t remember which speaker said it. Basically the speaker said one huge problem with the western church is we have become committed to the church not surrendered to Jesus.  I have been thinking about that all week and in my heart I know this is true.  Let’s compare the definitions of these two words from dictionary.com.

com·mit·ment

   [kuh-mit-muhnt]  Show IPA

noun

1.

the act of committing.

2.

the state of being committed.

3.

the act of committing, pledging, or engaging oneself.

4.

a pledge or promise; obligation: We have made a commitment to pay our bills on time.

5.

engagement; involvement: They have a sincere commitment to religion.

sur·ren·der

   [suh-ren-der]  Show IPA

verb (used with object)

1.

to yield (something) to the possession or power of another;deliver up possession of on demand or under duress: tosurrender the fort to the enemy; to surrender the stolen goods tothe police.

2.

to give (oneself) up, as to the police.

3.

to give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion,etc.: He surrendered himself to a life of hardship.

4.

to give up, abandon, or relinquish (comfort, hope, etc.).

5.

to yield or resign (an office, privilege, etc.) in favor ofanother.

verb (used without object)

6.

to give oneself up, as into the power of another; submit or yield.

This was truly an “aha” moment for me.  I have been frustrated with “church” now for a couple of years and truly seeking God on what is missing, mostly from my own heart.  This is it for me at least.  I have been committed to God but I don’t think I’ve been surrendered.  Big difference!  I think this old hymn sums it up perfectly!  This article I found here is very good.  http://www.sharefaith.com/guide/Christian-Music/hymns-the-songs-and-the-stories/i-surrender-all-the-song-and-the-story.html

Story behind the song - I Surrender All

Composer Judson W. Van DeVenter Writes I Surrender All

Judson W. Van DeVenter (1855-1939) was raised in a Christian home. At age 17, he accepted Jesus as his Savior. He graduated university with a degree in art and was employed successfully as a teacher and administrator of high school art. He traveled extensively, visiting the various art galleries throughout Europe. 

Van DeVenter also studied and taught music. He mastered 13 different instruments, sang and composed music. He was very involved in the music ministry of his Methodist Episcopal church and eventually found himself torn between his successful teaching career and his desire to be a part of an evangelistic team. This struggle within himself lasted for almost five years.

In 1896, Van DeVenter was conducting the music of a church event. It was during these meetings that he finally surrendered his desires completely to God -- He made the decision to become a full-time evangelist. As he submitted completely to the will of his Lord, a song was born in his heart. 

I Surrender All was put to music by Winfield S. Weeden (1847-1908 ), who published this and many other hymns in several volumes. Weeden so loved this song that the words I Surrender All were put on his tombstone.

The words and melody of I Surrender All have appeared in virtually every English hymnal, and are just as readily sung in churches that prefer contemporary music.

I Surrender All

All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him
, In His presence daily live.

Refrain:
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my bless'd Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

Refrain

All to Jesus, I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

Refrain

All to Jesus, I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

Refrain

All to Jesus I surrender;
Now I feel the sacred flame.
O the joy of full salvation!

Refrain