In "Surrenders for Christ," Philip Henry addresses the theological imperative of self-denial in the Christian life, asserting the necessity for believers to relinquish their sins, selves, relationships, righteousness, possessions, and worldly acclaim in service to Christ. He emphasizes that true love for Christ requires a heartfelt willingness to present one's sins and all that is dear as sacrifices, drawing from Scripture—particularly Matthew 5:29-30—to illustrate the radical nature of this commitment. Henry further argues that one’s own righteousness, possessions, and even familial ties may need to be surrendered in obedience to God, stressing reliance on the righteousness of Christ for justification. The practical significance of this doctrine lies in the believer’s call to live as a "living sacrifice," recognizing that true devotion to God encompasses every facet of life, culminating in a holistic expression of love that glorifies Christ.
Key Quotes
“We must be willing to part with our dearest and best beloved sins out of love to Christ.”
“Give him your bodies...your souls...all the faculties all the powers of the soul Lord I give thee myself.”
“We must be willing to part with our dearest and best beloved relationships...for thy sake and in obedience to thy command I will part with them.”
“Deny the merit of your own righteousness as the matter of your justification before God.”
What does the Bible say about surrendering our sins for Christ?
The Bible calls us to willingly part with our sins out of love for Christ, as seen in Matthew 5:29-30.
Matthew 5:29-30
How do we know the importance of giving ourselves fully to God?
Giving ourselves fully to God is essential as it is an expression of our commitment, as shown in Romans 12:1.
Romans 12:1
Why is relying on Christ's righteousness important?
Relying on Christ's righteousness is crucial because our own righteousness cannot merit salvation.
What does it mean to part with worldly possessions for Christ?
Parting with worldly possessions means recognizing that all we have ultimately belongs to God and holding them loosely.
We must be willing to part with our dearest and best beloved sins out of love to Christ. These he would fain have from us. Now what say you to this? Bring him thy sins. Offer them up for a burnt-offering. Say—Lord, here they are; all that are dear to me. But is here all? Is there no box of precious ointment that thou art willing to break for him? Let all go, though a "right hand," or a "right eye." This is love. This he takes very kindly. And this he calls for, Matt. v. 29, 30. Does thy soul answer—Lord, take all? Though it be mine own " iniquity," T will part with it for thy sake: with an eye to thee. Is this the language of thine heart? Then, blessed be God. I believe he, that will part with his sins, will part with any thing else.
We must be willing to part with our dearest, and best beloved selves. There is nothing so near to us as ourselves. Whatever else we give him without this, he cares not for. Give him your bodies: your eyes to read his word; your tongue to speak his praises; your hands to lift up in his name, towards his holy temple: "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." Stretch out your hands to the poor. Employ them in a lawful calling. Give him your souls: "My son, give me thine heart." Why, Lord? What wilt thou do with it? Why, if thou wilt give it me, I will take it, and dwell in it. Give him all the faculties, all the powers of the soul. Lord, I give thee myself, saith the gracious soul. We must give ourselves to him as the wife gives herself to her husband: as the patient gives himself to his physician: as the traveller gives himself to his guide.
We must be willing to part with our dearest and best beloved relations. Sometimes God calls for these; father, mother, brethren, sisters. Canst thou say—Lord, they are dear to me, but for thy sake, and in obedience to thy command, I will part with them. A godly martyr said he had eleven arguments against suffering—a wife and ten children; but, blessed be God, he could answer them all. He did so. And laid down his life for Christ.
We must be willing to part with our dearest and best beloved righteousness. When we have done anything that is good, we must not lie down upon it, and rest there. But we must see that our own righteousness merits nothing. It cannot commend us to God. Rely then on the righteousness of Christ for acceptance, as that which is enough, and enough for you. Oh! deny the merit of your own righteousness as the matter of your justification before God.
We must be willing to part with our worldly possessions. The box of ointment was worth three hundred pence, yet the "woman" broke it. Three ways we must testify this willingness :—By our right using of outward things; serving God with them. Mercies should be oil to the wheels of our obedience.—By relieving the poor members of Christ as we have ability and opportunity: "The King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."—By relinquishing the whole estate, or any part of it when God calls for it. God saith—Man, I must have a part of thy estate. Lord, saith he, take it. I had it from thee; I give it to thee. I am freely willing to part with it. There is then a box of ointment poured on the head of Christ. It yields a sweet savour; it is of good report.
We must be willing to part with the praise of men. "A good name is better than precious ointment." But we must be willing to part with our good name. Do not "love the praise of men." Many stick at this. They cannot away with it. When you have any praise given you for anything that you have done, throw your crowns at the feet of Christ. Do not put them upon your own head. If you do, they will prove crowns of thorns.
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