What Does Releasing Everything to Christ Mean?
by DiAnn Mills
Release
The Bible shows many meanings for release according to its usage, from the Hebrew in the Old Testament to the Greek in the New Testament. Throughout, the overall definition refers to a physical, spiritual, or emotional release. God wants us restored to a whole relationship with Him, freed from the bondage of sin.
The Greek word for release,”apoluō,” is mentioned 30 times in the New Testament. The word can also be translated “to let go,” “to send away,” or even “to divorce.” There are other Greek words with similar meanings, but my goal here is to give insight into what it means to release everything to Christ or surrender our wills to Him and experience true freedom.
In a world where “surrender” has a bad rep, the idea of releasing our wills to God seems like a defeat. Like weakness, slavery, a willingness to accept a prison sentence, or to abandon any form of free will or independence.
The world says, “Bring on the shackles if you can’t think or act without consulting God and following His mandates.”
Releasing everything to Christ is not a form of slavery. Rather, it’s trust, humility, and release from what the world declares will give us peace and acceptance. Releasing our wills for a divine purpose means we are who God intended us to be.
Surrender
When we release or surrender our wills to Christ:
- We are welcomed into the family of God and will live with Him forever.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life” (John 6:47 ESV).
- We receive the Holy Spirit as gift.
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 ESV).
- We have relief from worry and fear.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV).
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV).
- We have purpose.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).
- We experience living in hope.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV).
Surrendering ALL
Our release from our sinful nature doesn’t happen once. We need to ask for forgiveness, confess, and repent of our sins often. For me, it can be moment by moment!
In closing, I encourage you to read the words to an old hymn, “I Surrender All,” written by Judson W. Van DeVenter with music by Winfield S. Weeden, published in 1896. The hymn is in the public domain.
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.
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender
Make me Savior wholly thine
May Thy Holy Spirit fill me
May I know Thy power divine.
I surrender all.
I surrender all.
All to Thee my blessed Savior.
I surrender all.
I surrender all.
All to Thee my blessed Savior.
I surrender all.
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all.
If you have never surrendered to God, now is the time to give your heart to Jesus. This is total release. “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 ESV).
