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Humility & Absolute Surrender
Humility is the most overlooked teaching of Jesus Christ. In this book Andrew Murray explores how essential humility is to the understanding and practice of Christianity. Perhaps the best book ever written on the subject. In the words of Murray, “we have seen humility in the life of Christ, as He laid open His heart to let us listen to His teaching. There we shall hear how He speaks of it, and how far He expects men, and specially His disciples, to be humble as He was." Absolute Surrender offers a path to follow for those striving to live a Christian life. GOD EXPECTS YOUR SURRENDER. When we present ourselves to God, He is able to accomplish what He promised He would do in our lives. Murray comforts by emphasizing that the work of sanctification and surrender rests on the shoulders of Christ, not ours. "...your God in Heaven answers the prayers which you have offered for blessing on yourselves and for blessing on those around you by this one Are you willing to surrender yourselves absolutely into His hands? What is our answer to be? God knows there are hundreds of hearts who have said it, and there are hundreds more who long to say it but hardly dare to do so. And there are hearts who have said it, but who have yet miserably failed, and who feel themselves condemned because they did not find the secret of the power to live that life. May God have a word for all!" Andrew Murray was a South African writer, teacher, and Christian pastor. Murray considered missions to be "the chief end of the church." He was one of the founders of the South African General Mission (SAGM) later becoming the Africa Evangelical Fellowship (AEF) in 1965.
154 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
245 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Murray
1,279 books556 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Murray was Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Murray became a noted missionary leader. His father was a Scottish Presbyterian serving the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, and his mother had connections with both French Huguenots and German Lutherans. This background to some extent explains his ecumenical spirit. He was educated at Aberdeen University, Scotland, and at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After ordination in 1848 he served pastorates at Bloemfontein, Worcester, Cape Town, and Wellington. He helped to found what are now the University College of the Orange Free State and the Stellenbosch Seminary. He served as Moderator of the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church and was president of both the YMCA (1865) and the South Africa General Mission (1888-1917), now the Africa Evangelical Fellowship.
He was one of the chief promoters of the call to missions in South Africa. This led to the Dutch Reformed Church missions to blacks in the Transvaal and Malawi. Apart from his evangelistic tours in South Africa, he spoke at the Keswick and Northfield Conventions in 1895, making a great impression. upon his British and American audiences. For his contribution to world missions he was given an honorary doctorate by the universities of Aberdeen (1898) and Cape of Good Hope(1907).
Murray is best known today for his devotional writings, which place great emphasis on the need for a rich, personal devotional life. Many of his 240 publications explain in how he saw this devotion and its outworking in the life of the Christian. Several of his books have become devotional classics. Among these are Abide in Christ, Absolute Surrender, With Christ in the School of Prayer, The Spirit of Christ and Waiting on God.
Murray was Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Murray became a noted missionary leader. His father was a Scottish Presbyterian serving the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa, and his mother had connections with both French Huguenots and German Lutherans. This background to some extent explains his ecumenical spirit. He was educated at Aberdeen University, Scotland, and at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After ordination in 1848 he served pastorates at Bloemfontein, Worcester, Cape Town, and Wellington. He helped to found what are now the University College of the Orange Free State and the Stellenbosch Seminary. He served as Moderator of the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church and was president of both the YMCA (1865) and the South Africa General Mission (1888-1917), now the Africa Evangelical Fellowship.
He was one of the chief promoters of the call to missions in South Africa. This led to the Dutch Reformed Church missions to blacks in the Transvaal and Malawi. Apart from his evangelistic tours in South Africa, he spoke at the Keswick and Northfield Conventions in 1895, making a great impression. upon his British and American audiences. For his contribution to world missions he was given an honorary doctorate by the universities of Aberdeen (1898) and Cape of Good Hope(1907).
Murray is best known today for his devotional writings, which place great emphasis on the need for a rich, personal devotional life. Many of his 240 publications explain in how he saw this devotion and its outworking in the life of the Christian. Several of his books have become devotional classics. Among these are Abide in Christ, Absolute Surrender, With Christ in the School of Prayer, The Spirit of Christ and Waiting on God.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 20, 2022
I had high hopes for this book. It just didn't deliver as I expected. Most of the book is spent theorizing Christ's humility and how we are to be like Christ—using literally the wording I just gave. Over and over to the point it felt super redundant, and without actually explaining in practical terms how we die to ourselves on a daily basis. "Be humble, be like Christ" without actually giving Biblical examples as to HOW we become this.
Maybe I'm just spoiled by the Puritans and their beautiful eloquence and practicality. But this book didn't deliver the way I hoped it would.
Maybe I'm just spoiled by the Puritans and their beautiful eloquence and practicality. But this book didn't deliver the way I hoped it would.
February 11, 2023
I read this book every year. If you know what's good for you, you will too. If you read this book and think to yourself "hmm, I'll bet Monsiur Smith would do well to read this, but it's not quite for me". Then it's definitely for you. ;)
This book has changed my life. I am not being dramatic. This book led me into a deeper understanding of self and God. Seriously, pick it up! You won't regret it.
This book has changed my life. I am not being dramatic. This book led me into a deeper understanding of self and God. Seriously, pick it up! You won't regret it.
July 21, 2010
Definitely a good book with an excellent topic. However, very difficult to read and stay focused on. I felt as though Murray kept saying the same thing over and over again. Got kind of boring and became a drag to finish.
January 9, 2023
A bit dry and a slog. But. Sift through the debris and you will find nuggets of gold wisdom for your soul.
April 22, 2023
Wonderful meditations on humility. We all tend to give ourselves the benefit of the doubt and think we are doing pretty well spriritually. Murry upends that self image and reminds us that humility, though elusive, is absolutely necessary for faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in maintaining a right relationship with God. Conversely pride is the ultimate evil. Christians must put on the character of genuine humility if they are to be counted as children of God.
September 2, 2008
if you've kept up with my "currently reading" section, you're probably thinking, "how long does it freakin' take to read that book?!"
truthfully, not long. this isnt a big book. i just wanted to thoroughly go through it and pay attention to what Murray had to say.
and he said a LOT. this is a book that is so illuminating, that i have to tell people that its a must-read book for anyone who is born-again. you really dont understand the depths of pride in your heart until you read something like this and say, "Whoa...i didnt think i was that bad..."
more than that, though, it talks about humility and what true humility really is: being nothing so that God can be everything. then he goes into the humility of Jesus and describes just how humble Christ was.
there are other goodies in here. there is a bunch of his sermons in here, and they are all good. i initially bought the book for the sermon "Absolute Surrender", which was fantastic. (i heard that Evan Roberts read that before the Welsh Revival hit). but i was most impacted by Humility.
truthfully, not long. this isnt a big book. i just wanted to thoroughly go through it and pay attention to what Murray had to say.
and he said a LOT. this is a book that is so illuminating, that i have to tell people that its a must-read book for anyone who is born-again. you really dont understand the depths of pride in your heart until you read something like this and say, "Whoa...i didnt think i was that bad..."
more than that, though, it talks about humility and what true humility really is: being nothing so that God can be everything. then he goes into the humility of Jesus and describes just how humble Christ was.
there are other goodies in here. there is a bunch of his sermons in here, and they are all good. i initially bought the book for the sermon "Absolute Surrender", which was fantastic. (i heard that Evan Roberts read that before the Welsh Revival hit). but i was most impacted by Humility.
May 19, 2023
“Humility” was the shorter and more impactful half for me. But both of them were deeply spiritual nourishing!!!!!!!!! I will for sure be revisiting “humility” at least annually.
September 12, 2024
Andrew Murray died in 1917, but his message is just as relevant and necessary today as it was when he wrote it. Murray ministered in South Africa, and throughout the world, and his prolific writings continue to bless the Church today. One could compare Murray’s ardent, inner-life focus, and his readable, devotional writing style to that of A.W. Tozer.
In “Humility and Absolute Surrender” Murray prophetically calls the Church of Jesus Christ to live without compromise. This volume is, in reality, 2 short volumes placed together by the editor, and republished in the Hendrickson Christian Classics Series. The editor was certainly astute in combining these works, and wise in placing the topic of humility before that of absolute surrender, as the latter cannot be had or even desired without the former.
Murray writes with a Pastor’s heart, a prophet’s words, and with a Puritan-like ability to wring every last bit of meaning from the text of Scripture. Even though Murray is Pastoral in his approach, he does not brook compromise; rather, he sets forth before the Church what is possible in living the Christian life in a manner worthy of our calling.
If the Church were to answer the prophetic call made by Murray in this volume, there would be personal and corporate revival. Read this book, and then read it on your knees. Happy reading!
In “Humility and Absolute Surrender” Murray prophetically calls the Church of Jesus Christ to live without compromise. This volume is, in reality, 2 short volumes placed together by the editor, and republished in the Hendrickson Christian Classics Series. The editor was certainly astute in combining these works, and wise in placing the topic of humility before that of absolute surrender, as the latter cannot be had or even desired without the former.
Murray writes with a Pastor’s heart, a prophet’s words, and with a Puritan-like ability to wring every last bit of meaning from the text of Scripture. Even though Murray is Pastoral in his approach, he does not brook compromise; rather, he sets forth before the Church what is possible in living the Christian life in a manner worthy of our calling.
If the Church were to answer the prophetic call made by Murray in this volume, there would be personal and corporate revival. Read this book, and then read it on your knees. Happy reading!
December 25, 2019
Devotional reading. Here's a couple of pithy quotes.
From Humility:
In an address I lately heard, the speaker said that the blessings of the higher Christian life were often like the objects exposed in a shop window-- one could see them clearly, and yet could not reach them. If told to stretch out his hand and take, a man would answer, "I cannot: there is a thick pane of plate-glass between me and them." And even so, Christians may clearly see the blessed promises of perfect peace and rest, of overflowing love and joy, of abiding communion and fruitfulness, and yet feel there was something between, hindering the true possession. And what might that be? Nothing but pride.
From Absolute Surrender:
All around you there is a world of sin and sorrow, and the Devil is there. But remember, Christ is on the throne, Christ is stronger, Christ has conquered, and Christ will conquer.
"Absolute Surrender" is not the same content as The Believer's Absolute Surrender.
From Humility:
In an address I lately heard, the speaker said that the blessings of the higher Christian life were often like the objects exposed in a shop window-- one could see them clearly, and yet could not reach them. If told to stretch out his hand and take, a man would answer, "I cannot: there is a thick pane of plate-glass between me and them." And even so, Christians may clearly see the blessed promises of perfect peace and rest, of overflowing love and joy, of abiding communion and fruitfulness, and yet feel there was something between, hindering the true possession. And what might that be? Nothing but pride.
From Absolute Surrender:
All around you there is a world of sin and sorrow, and the Devil is there. But remember, Christ is on the throne, Christ is stronger, Christ has conquered, and Christ will conquer.
"Absolute Surrender" is not the same content as The Believer's Absolute Surrender.
August 28, 2023
One of the Most Important Books You Probably Will Overlook
Now who is going to read a book on Christian virtue by some archaic, likely sanctimonious, nineteenth-century clergyman? It’s probably outdated and preachy, right? Well, you should read it, and no, those are very mistaken presumptions. In this thin volume (actually two short but related books first published in 1895) the late South African Preacher Andrew Murray teaches about the root of every virtue, humility, which is the antithesis of the root of all sin and evil, pride. “Humility & Absolute Surrender” are timeless, relevant, soul searching, meaningful and clearly and effectively written. Each chapter could stand alone as a sermon desperately needed in today’s church, but together they deliver a comprehensive message of what is foundationally essential in Christian living. It’s about God, not about self. Murray will help you understand and embrace that timely truth. But, you probably won’t read it, will you? It’s so easy to overlook this and seek something more modern, isn’t it? I hope I’m wrong because you will miss an opportunity for great benefit as well as a Christian classic.
Now who is going to read a book on Christian virtue by some archaic, likely sanctimonious, nineteenth-century clergyman? It’s probably outdated and preachy, right? Well, you should read it, and no, those are very mistaken presumptions. In this thin volume (actually two short but related books first published in 1895) the late South African Preacher Andrew Murray teaches about the root of every virtue, humility, which is the antithesis of the root of all sin and evil, pride. “Humility & Absolute Surrender” are timeless, relevant, soul searching, meaningful and clearly and effectively written. Each chapter could stand alone as a sermon desperately needed in today’s church, but together they deliver a comprehensive message of what is foundationally essential in Christian living. It’s about God, not about self. Murray will help you understand and embrace that timely truth. But, you probably won’t read it, will you? It’s so easy to overlook this and seek something more modern, isn’t it? I hope I’m wrong because you will miss an opportunity for great benefit as well as a Christian classic.
August 29, 2023
Fantastic read. Very dense book overall and will need to meditate upon the words written. This was challenging, convicting, uplifting, and ultimately all pointed to Jesus. Humility is not something highly valued in our 21st-century American culture, so this was a fresh look at why it is needed and how Jesus modeled it.
Absolute Surrender made me question if I have actually given my all to Jesus, or if I have held back areas of my life. But again, this was a book that uplifted and challenged to give my all to God.
Absolute Surrender made me question if I have actually given my all to Jesus, or if I have held back areas of my life. But again, this was a book that uplifted and challenged to give my all to God.
February 2, 2019
This is a good book with on an excellent topic. However, it is very difficult to read and stay focused on, due to the repetition of the subject. Andrew Murray kept saying the same thing over and over again but with different Biblical references which made it kind of boring. The last section was the best in both dialog and reference.
June 16, 2025
“Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all.”
“The only sure mark of the presence of God the disappearance of self was all the time wanting come let us flee to Jesus and hide ourselves in Him until we be clothed upon with His humility. That alone is our holiness.”
“The only sure mark of the presence of God the disappearance of self was all the time wanting come let us flee to Jesus and hide ourselves in Him until we be clothed upon with His humility. That alone is our holiness.”
July 13, 2018
Your Christian life is to be a continuous proof that God works impossibilities.
Took me a little to get into because this book is in desperate need of an editor, but overall it's an insightful read about learning what it means to fully depend on God.
Took me a little to get into because this book is in desperate need of an editor, but overall it's an insightful read about learning what it means to fully depend on God.
February 5, 2022
This is an excellent counter narrative to our current culture (both Christian and non-Christian). Highly recommend not just to others but to myself for reading and re-reading. The 63 pages that cover Humility are particularly excellent.
May 19, 2025
SPOT ON!
It got to the point I needed to,I am to understand why I needed to surrender and how to surrender. This book pointed out many of the mistakes Christian make thinking that they have surrendered to God. It's a very pointed book and I enjoyed it immensely.
It got to the point I needed to,I am to understand why I needed to surrender and how to surrender. This book pointed out many of the mistakes Christian make thinking that they have surrendered to God. It's a very pointed book and I enjoyed it immensely.
December 10, 2025
Seek Him back
Transforming reading to those who would seek to follow Christ on deepest of levels. If you have ever had a desire know Him, that is Him seeking you. Respond by asking Him to reveal Himself in a way to can understand and He will show up.
Transforming reading to those who would seek to follow Christ on deepest of levels. If you have ever had a desire know Him, that is Him seeking you. Respond by asking Him to reveal Himself in a way to can understand and He will show up.
November 19, 2019
Two classic pieces in one volume. Originally written over a hundred years ago yet timeless in its message.
December 9, 2019
This book has changed my life!
December 29, 2019
Life changing
August 5, 2020
Truly Wonderful
It’s a great summary of what a Christian life looks like when the Christian imitates Jesus. i recommend this to every Christian.
It’s a great summary of what a Christian life looks like when the Christian imitates Jesus. i recommend this to every Christian.
January 30, 2021
Classic principals of the Christian faith that are not discussed enough make this a needed read for the times of today as much as a hundred plus years ago.
June 25, 2022
A deeply theological work, but worth the read. Not an easy read, since the language is old-fashioned. Practical and inspirational. New ways to approach the subjects, making them feel attainable.
June 28, 2022
Excellent!
July 1, 2023
Humility is the hinge on which Christianity swings - God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. Murray’s classic on humility is a must read for every Christian!
July 7, 2023
Great information for everyone who wants to grow in the Lord.
January 31, 2025
Yeah ummm.... never give me Bible related books again.
April 27, 2025
He repeats the same message over and over and over (absolute surrender) which can be annoying….but by the end of the book I realized it was probably necessary.
August 30, 2025
I've read a few of Andrew Murray's books before. Humility is a book I've had for a while, but just finished. It's a short 12 chapter discussion of aspects of humility. Each chapter is only 4-5 pages long. It defines humility as entirely depending on God, being an empty vessel that God can use to manifest His power and goodness and love.
The book starts with a definition then discusses why we need redemption and humility. If I know that I'm a sinner and incapable of the obedience and holiness that being near God requires, then I will humble myself and let God do it all for me. I will gladly and gratefully let God save me, empower me, strengthen me and humble me.
The book then discusses fellowship with God, and how enthroning God or exalting Him produces humility, allows us to die to ourselves, and brings happiness. Trials that we once avoided now bring joy because we know they're a chance to become more humble and grow closer to God. July 2025
Book 2 is about absolute surrender. I read this book separately. This book starts with the steps to surrender and leads you to absolute surrender chapter by chapter.
I've had this book for years, but I couldn't understand it. Now I see that I can't do what God wants. I never could. All He wanted was my trust and daily surrender of my self and will. Once surrendered, I can do what He wants by the power of His Spirit. I'm a branch on His vine and He flows through me to do the work and bear the fruit of righteous and holiness. June 2025
These are two very encouraging, very helpful books that explain how to live surrendered to God and close to Him.
The book starts with a definition then discusses why we need redemption and humility. If I know that I'm a sinner and incapable of the obedience and holiness that being near God requires, then I will humble myself and let God do it all for me. I will gladly and gratefully let God save me, empower me, strengthen me and humble me.
The book then discusses fellowship with God, and how enthroning God or exalting Him produces humility, allows us to die to ourselves, and brings happiness. Trials that we once avoided now bring joy because we know they're a chance to become more humble and grow closer to God. July 2025
Book 2 is about absolute surrender. I read this book separately. This book starts with the steps to surrender and leads you to absolute surrender chapter by chapter.
I've had this book for years, but I couldn't understand it. Now I see that I can't do what God wants. I never could. All He wanted was my trust and daily surrender of my self and will. Once surrendered, I can do what He wants by the power of His Spirit. I'm a branch on His vine and He flows through me to do the work and bear the fruit of righteous and holiness. June 2025
These are two very encouraging, very helpful books that explain how to live surrendered to God and close to Him.
April 6, 2015
Humility and Absolute Surrender is a treasure trove of Biblical insight provided by Andrew Murray, who was a pastor, evangelist, and author from South Africa 1828-1917. Although the devotions in this book were written in the late 1800's, the advice it holds is timeless and ever so relevant for Christians today. In it, Murray uncovers what true humility is and how it makes the way for God to fill us and use us for His purposes. In the second half of the book, the focus changes to absolute surrender in Christ...what is it, what does it look like, and how to accomplish it in your everyday life are all addressed. If anyone lacks humility in their life, reading Humility and Absolute Surrender will certainly bring the cure. The 21 chapters found within this book are short and easily digestible and hold value for any Christian seeking to become more like Jesus.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews