Fountainview Academy - I Surrender All Lyrics

I Surrender All | Steps To Christ | Fountainview Academy

I Surrender All Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

The timeless hymn "I Surrender All," as presented by Fountainview Academy in their video released on October 13, 2017, carries a profound message of spiritual dedication. The original song was penned by Judson W. Van DeVenter in 1896, with music composed by Winfield S. Weeden. Van DeVenter, a former art teacher, felt called to ministry but struggled to fully commit, leading to this hymn which encapsulates his eventual complete surrender. It has since become a beloved standard within Christian worship, resonating with believers across generations and denominations as an expression of personal commitment to Christ.

The central theme of the song is a comprehensive yielding of one's life to Jesus Christ. It articulates a desire for total submission, giving up worldly pursuits and laying aside personal will at the feet of the Savior. The lyrics convey a yearning for a deeper connection, seeking not only to live in Jesus' presence daily but also to be made wholly His and to experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is a declaration of allegiance and dependence, moving beyond partial commitment to embrace a state of complete dedication and trust.

This message of total surrender aligns deeply with various biblical principles. The concept of presenting one's entire being to God is echoed in Romans 12:1-2, which calls believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, transforming their minds rather than conforming to the world. The act of forsaking worldly pleasures reflects warnings found in scriptures like 1 John 2:15-17, which admonish against loving the world or the things in the world, emphasizing that such love is contrary to the love of the Father. The desire to live daily in His presence and be filled with the Holy Spirit connects with promises of God's constant companionship and the empowering presence of the Spirit for those who follow Him, as mentioned in passages like Acts 1:8 and John 14:16-17. The culmination of surrendering all to belong wholly to Christ reflects the profound truth of redemption, where believers are bought with a price and are no longer their own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Fountainview Academy's rendition of this hymn offers their musical interpretation of its powerful words. Their presentation through the video titled "I Surrender All | Steps To Christ" adds a specific context, suggesting a connection between the song's theme and the journey towards knowing and following Christ often explored in Christian literature and teaching. Their performance serves to bring this classic hymn's enduring call to complete surrender before a modern audience, inspiring listeners to consider the depth of their own commitment.