April 21

Read: Romans 6:12-13

It is God who is at work within you (Philippians 2:13, Phillips).

The Wonder Of Self-Surrender

Christian consecration is rejected by some on psychological grounds. The argument runs as follows: Wholesome personal development requires self-confidence, poise, and a positive self-image. Consecration is a debasing of the self-image and a surrender of man’s highest powers of freedom and creativity.

On the surface the argument appears plausible, but accurate thinking goes below the surface. In its truest meaning Christian consecration does not lower man; it exalts God. When I surrender my life to God, I surrender myself, not to be held down, but to be lifted up; not to have freedom and creativity destroyed, but to have them used most effectively. I see how great God is, what a glorious plan He has for my life. I surrender only a stubborn self-centeredness that would otherwise keep me from life’s highest development under God.

Fritz Kreisler once sought to buy a rare old violin from an English collector. The collector valued the violin highly as a collector’s item and would not sell it.

Kreisler asked permission to play the violin. He took it carefully from the case, tuned the strings, and began to play. The violin sang, and wept, and laughed as only Kreisler could make it do. The collector listened in rapture. He said nothing as Kreisler put the violin carefully back and closed the case. Then he burst out:

“Take it. The violin is yours. I do not own it. It belongs to the man who can make it sing.”

I do not have a rare violin, but I have my life to give. It belongs to Christ; therefore I give it to Him.

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

— J. W. Van Deventer