Andrew Murray

Let us look upon every brother who tries or vexes us, as God’s means of grace, God’s instrument for our purification, for our exercise of the humility Jesus our Life breathes within us.

When God has begun the work of absolute surrender in you, and when God has accepted your surrender, then God holds himself bound to care for it and to keep it.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, and the Holy Spirit comes as a Spirit of love.

One of the worst things sin did for man was to make him selfish, for selfishness cannot love.

The fruit of the Spirit is love. Why? Because nothing but love can expel and conquer our selfishness.

Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others; it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows him as God to do all.

Humility towards men will be the only sufficient proof that our humility before God is real.

God does not ask you to give the perfect surrender in your strength, or by the power of your will; God is willing to work it in you.

The fruit of the Spirit is love.

God delights to pour his love into us. And why? Because, as I said, God keeps nothing for himself.

A man cannot live one hour a godly life unless by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Religious self-effort always ends in sinful flesh.

God alone can work out his will in you. You cannot work out God’s will, but his Holy Spirit can.

Faith always means helplessness.

When faith in its struggling gets to the end of itself, and just throws itself upon God and rests on him, then comes joy and victory.

You cannot separate God from his Word.

Absolute dependence upon God is the secret of all power in work.

The branch has nothing; it just depends upon the vine for everything.

Humble yourself unto the death. It is in the death to self that humility is perfected.

The place of humiliation is the place of blessing, of power, of joy.

Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue.

The condition of God’s blessing is absolute surrender of all into his hands.

True love cannot be conquered by anything in Heaven or upon the earth.

The love of God is always the love of God in its entirety, in its fullness as an indwelling power.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Absolute Dependence on God

The core of the spiritual life, according to Andrew Murray, is recognizing our utter helplessness and complete dependence on God. Murray emphasizes that True faith begins with the acknowledgment of our inability to achieve anything on our own. He illustrates this with the analogy of a branch and a vine, where the branch relies entirely on the vine for sustenance and growth. 'Faith always means helplessness,' Murray writes, underscoring that our spiritual strength comes from surrendering our self-effort and trusting in God's omnipotence. This idea is further reinforced by the example of Paul, who found strength in his weaknesses by relying on Christ.

Humility as the Root of All Virtues

Andrew Murray emphasizes that humility is not just one virtue among many but the root from which all other virtues grow. He argues that humility is the 'first duty and the highest virtue of the creature' because it acknowledges our complete dependence on God. This idea is vividly illustrated when Murray states, 'Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue.' By recognizing our nothingness and God's all-encompassing power, we create the fertile ground for other virtues to flourish.

The Humility of Jesus as Our Model

Murray presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of humility. He explains that Jesus' life, from incarnation to crucifixion, was marked by a profound humility that allowed God to work through Him. 'The Son can do nothing of himself' (John 5:19) and 'I seek not mine own will' (John 5:30) are some of the quotes Murray uses to show Jesus' complete submission to God's will. This humility is not just a historical fact but a living example for believers to emulate. By adopting Jesus' humility, we align ourselves with God's will and open ourselves to His transformative power.

Humility as the Secret of Redemption

Murray delves into the theological significance of humility in the context of redemption. He explains that pride was the root cause of humanity's fall, and therefore, humility is essential for our redemption. 'It is pride that made redemption needful; it is from our pride we need, above everything, to be redeemed,' he writes. By embracing humility, we participate in the redemptive work of Christ, who 'humbled himself and became obedient unto death' (Phil. 2:8). This humility is not just a moral virtue but a spiritual necessity for experiencing God's saving grace.

True Humility as Emptiness for God's Fulfillment

Andrew Murray emphasizes that True humility is about recognizing our own emptiness and allowing God to fill us. He states, 'It is in this, above and before everything, in which the conformity to Jesus consists, the being and doing nothing of ourselves, that God may be all.' This idea is illustrated through the concept that humility is not just a temporary sentiment but a continuous state of being where one acknowledges that all virtues and graces come from God. Practical examples include daily surrendering one's own will and desires to God, thereby becoming a vessel through which God's wisdom, power, and goodness can manifest.

The Power of Humility

Humility is portrayed as a state of divine growth where every experience, whether good or bad, contributes to spiritual development. Murray emphasizes that humility allows one to receive everything as a blessing, akin to 'a dew of Heaven.' This state of being is described as transformative, turning the 'fire of the fallen soul into the meekness of the divine life.' By embracing humility, one can see, hear, and act through its spirit, leading to continuous edification and growth in the life of God. This idea is vividly illustrated through the metaphor of humility as a garment and girdle, suggesting it should be an ever-present aspect of one's life.

Humility and the Presence of God

The presence of God in one's life is intrinsically linked to humility. Murray asserts that where God's presence is fully realized, the creature becomes nothing, and this nothingness is the foundation of True humility. He explains, 'Humility is nothing but the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all.' This humility is not just a personal virtue but a reflection of God's nature within us. It leads to a life where self is continually abased before God, resulting in a humble attitude towards fellow humans. This ongoing humility is the key to maintaining a deep and abiding relationship with God.

Daily Surrender

Make it a daily practice to surrender your will to God. Begin each day by acknowledging your dependence on Him and asking for His guidance in all your actions.

Emulate Jesus' Humility

Actively seek to emulate the humility of Jesus in your interactions with others. This means putting others' needs before your own and serving them selflessly, just as Jesus did.

Reflect on Pride

Regularly reflect on areas in your life where pride may be taking root. Confess these to God and ask for His help in cultivating a spirit of humility.

Engage in Regular Prayer and Fasting

Make it a habit to set aside dedicated times for prayer and fasting, seeking God's guidance and empowerment for your life and ministry. This practice helps to deepen your spiritual connection and align your actions with God's will.

Embrace Humbling Experiences

Actively seek and accept situations that humble you, whether they come from friends, enemies, or circumstances. This practice helps in cultivating True humility.

He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death.

The Son can do nothing of himself.

He humbled himself, therefore God highly exalted him.

Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant, even as the Son of Man came to serve.

Humility before God is nothing if not proved in humility before men.

It is pride that made redemption needful; it is from our pride we need, above everything, to be redeemed.

It is in this, above and before everything, in which the conformity to Jesus consists, the being and doing nothing of ourselves, that God may be all.

The humble man looks upon every, the feeblest and unworthiest, child of God, and honors him and prefers him in honor as the son of a King.

Nothing is in vain, or without profit to the humble soul; it stands always in a state of divine growth.

Complete Surrender: The Path to Divine Blessing

Murray uses the story of Joseph in Potiphar’s house as a powerful metaphor for surrendering one’s life to Christ. Just as Potiphar entrusted everything to Joseph, Christians are called to entrust every aspect of their lives to Jesus. Murray contrasts partial reliance on Christ—seeking Him only in times of trouble—with the transformative power of total surrender. He writes, 'There are many who have accepted Christ as their Lord, but have never yet come to the final, absolute surrender of everything.' This surrender is not a one-time act but a daily commitment, requiring believers to relinquish control over their thoughts, affections, and actions. The result, as illustrated by Potiphar’s household, is divine blessing and peace: 'The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake.'

The Indwelling Christ: A Life of Humility and Transformation

Andrew Murray presents a profound paradigm shift: the essence of the Holy Spirit is not merely about external gifts or power but about embodying the life, humility, and disposition of Jesus Christ within us. This indwelling transforms believers by expelling pride and fostering a Christ-like meekness. Murray emphasizes that even the disciples, despite their close proximity to Jesus, could not fully embody His teachings until the Holy Spirit came to dwell within them. He writes, 'The fullness of the Holy Ghost is this: Jesus Christ in His humility coming to dwell in us.' This idea challenges the conventional view of spiritual growth as a self-driven effort and instead frames it as a surrender to Christ’s humility. The metaphor of light streaming into an open window illustrates this beautifully: just as light cannot enter a shuttered room, Christ’s transformative power cannot penetrate a heart closed by pride.

Living as 'Dead to Sin': A Paradigm Shift in Christian Identity

Andrew Murray challenges conventional Christian thinking by emphasizing that believers must not merely strive to die to sin but must recognize that they are already 'dead to sin' through their union with Christ. This shift from effort to realization is rooted in Romans 6, where Paul declares, 'Reckon yourselves dead unto sin.' Murray explains that just as humanity inherited Adam's fallen nature, believers inherit Christ's death and resurrection life. This means that the power of sin is already broken, but many fail to live in this truth because they do not fully grasp or accept it. The key is to 'reckon'—to consciously affirm and live out this spiritual reality. Murray uses the analogy of a king who must act in accordance with his royal identity, emphasizing that believers must live in alignment with their new identity in Christ.

The Marks of a Crucified Life: Humility, Helplessness, and Restfulness

Murray presents a contrarian view of spiritual maturity by identifying the marks of a 'crucified life' as humility, helplessness, and restfulness—qualities often undervalued in a culture that prizes self-sufficiency and achievement. He argues that true spiritual growth begins when believers embrace their utter dependence on Christ, saying, 'I am a crucified man, I am utterly helpless, every breath of life and strength must come from my Jesus.' This helplessness is not weakness but a profound surrender that allows Christ's power to work through them. Similarly, humility arises from recognizing one's unworthiness and the need to be 'nothing at all' so that Christ may be exalted. Restfulness, the third mark, comes from fully trusting in God's sovereignty and relinquishing the need to strive.

The Transformative Power of Deep Fellowship with God

Andrew Murray challenges the conventional notion of prayer as merely a list of petitions, urging readers to embrace prayer as a profound fellowship with God. He likens this fellowship to a smith heating iron in a fire—only prolonged immersion allows the iron to become red-hot. Similarly, believers must spend sustained, intentional time in God’s presence to be transformed by His holiness, love, and power. Murray emphasizes that this deep communion is what empowered biblical figures like Abraham and Moses, making them strong in their faith. He writes, 'If Christ is to make me what I am to be, I must tarry in fellowship with God.' This idea connects to the book’s central thesis by underscoring the necessity of surrendering time and self to God for spiritual growth and transformation.

Intercession as the Church’s Neglected Power

Murray presents intercession as a vital yet underutilized aspect of prayer, calling it the work of God’s priests. He critiques the modern church for its lack of fervent prayer for revival and confessions of collective sin, stating, 'If God were to show us how much there is of intense prayer for a revival through the church... I think we should all be ashamed.' He highlights the biblical examples of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel, who interceded on behalf of their people, and even Christ, who identified with sinners in baptism. This concept challenges the self-focused spirituality of many Christians, urging them to embrace intercession as a sacrificial act of love and a means to bring God’s blessings to others. It ties to the book’s overarching theme of yielding oneself entirely to God’s purposes.

The Joy of the Holy Spirit: A Life of Love and Rest

Andrew Murray presents a transformative view of the Holy Spirit's role in cultivating a life of joy, love, and rest. He challenges the conventional notion of holiness as mere moral discipline, instead framing it as a dynamic, Spirit-filled existence where love becomes the central force. Murray emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is not just a guide but the very essence of divine love, uniting believers with God and each other. He writes, 'The Holy Spirit is just the love of God come to dwell in the heart.' This love, he argues, is not passive but active, overcoming opposition and perfecting itself through challenges. For example, he illustrates how even in difficult relationships, the Spirit empowers believers to respond with grace and patience, transforming trials into opportunities for spiritual growth.

Embrace Daily Surrender

Begin each day by consciously surrendering your heart, mind, and actions to Christ. Take a moment in prayer to say, 'Lord, I give You charge over my life today.'

Seek Christ’s Humility Actively

Pray specifically for Christ’s humility to take root in your heart. Murray suggests pleading with the Lamb of God daily: 'O Lamb of God, I know Thy love, but I know so little of Thy meekness.'

Reckon Yourself Dead to Sin

Actively affirm your identity in Christ by daily reminding yourself that you are 'dead to sin and alive unto God.'

Embrace Helplessness as Strength

Instead of relying on your own abilities, consciously surrender your struggles and weaknesses to Christ. Acknowledge your helplessness and invite His power to work through you.

Prioritize Extended Time in God’s Presence

Set aside uninterrupted time daily to commune with God, focusing not on presenting requests but on experiencing His presence.

You have been fighting with the temper, and you have not been fighting with the root of the temper.

This spiritual life prepared for me is the free gift of my God in Christ Jesus.

Every time you please yourself, you deny Jesus.

Self turned to God is the glory of allowing the Creator to reveal Himself in us. Self turned away from God is the very darkness and fire of hell.

There are two lives, the self-life and the Christ-life; I must choose one of the two.

He brought us out, that He might bring us in.

Oh, take that little word ‘me,’ and looking up in the very face of God dare to say: ‘This inestimable treasure—it is for me.

God has brought you out in conversion; it was God’s own life given you: but you defiled it with disobedience and unbelief. Give it all up.

I have the life of God’s Son within me given me by God Himself, and it can only be maintained by God Himself as I live in fellowship with Him.

By His death, He proved that He possessed life only to hold it and to spend it for God... To live a life of perfect trust, there must be the perfect surrender of life and will, even unto the very death.

The fullness of the Holy Ghost is this: Jesus Christ in His humility coming to dwell in us.

There are many who have accepted Christ as their Lord, but have never yet come to the final, absolute surrender of everything.

Reckon yourselves dead unto sin and alive unto God in Christ Jesus.

I am a crucified man, I am utterly helpless, every breath of life and strength must come from my Jesus.

You have not seen that it is all because you are in the carnal state, and not properly given up to the Spirit of God.

If Christ is to make me what I am to be, I must tarry in fellowship with God.

Not I, but Christ liveth in me.

Be still before God, and wait, and say: "Oh, God, take possession."

You must become the possessor of the field.

The grace of God is very free. And yet, on the other hand, Jesus said that every man who wants the pearl of great price must sacrifice his all.

If one wants to live a life of perfect trust, there must be the perfect surrender of his life, and his will, even unto the very death.

Oh! let us live every day rooted in the death of Jesus. Be not afraid, but say: “To my own will I will die; to human wisdom, and human strength, and to the world I will die.”

The Holy Spirit is just the love of God come to dwell in the heart.

Go thy way; thy son liveth.

Love is rest, and rest is love, and where there is no love the rest must be disturbed.

There is no place of rest like the grave; a man can do nothing there... My flesh shall rest in hope.

Every sin against love is proof that the person is carnal... You must have the Holy Spirit in order to love, and then the carnal will be conquered.

Jesus did not send me to war at my own expense and in my own power. He intended for me to have the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Let us recognize that with God helping us, we can leave the carnal side and begin life on the spiritual side.

Blessed is the man who gets into God’s secrets and works under God, doing God’s work God’s way.

The Spirit of the world going out, and the Spirit of God coming in to take possession of the inner life…that is the great need in every worker.

It is either one or the other. There is no other choice for us; we must either deny self or deny Christ.

Death was the path to glory for Christ... Let death be to you the most desirable thing on earth: death to self for the sake of fellowship with Christ.

It is only love, the fire of God’s everlasting love, that can burn through every difficulty.

The weakness of the church is all in that one word—flesh.

Let us bow in shame and confess before God how our fleshly religion and self-effort have been the cause of every failure.

If you will entrust yourself entirely and absolutely to the omnipotence of God, He will delight to keep you. He will not let you go. He will not leave you to yourself.

As long as we are something, God cannot be everything, and His omnipotence cannot do its full work.

Absolute Surrender as the Foundation for a Spirit-Filled Life

Andrew Murray presents a radical shift from partial commitment to absolute surrender as the cornerstone of experiencing the Holy Spirit's fullness. He argues that many Christians remain spiritually stagnant because they withhold areas of their lives from God's control. By surrendering everything—possessions, relationships, and self-will—believers open themselves to divine transformation. 'Jesus has such infinite riches and glory that He deserves it, and He is such a heavenly, spiritual, divine gift that unless we give up everything, our hearts cannot be filled with Him.' This idea challenges the notion that spiritual growth can coexist with self-reliance, urging a complete abandonment to God's will.

The Holy Spirit as the Source of True Transformation

Murray dismantles the belief that human effort alone can achieve spiritual growth, highlighting the Holy Spirit's role in inner renewal. He contrasts the disciples' pre-Pentecost weaknesses with their post-Pentecost boldness, attributing this change to the Spirit's indwelling presence. 'The presence of Jesus by the Holy Spirit is meant to be unbroken, continual, and forever.' This perspective reframes faith as an intimate, ongoing relationship with Christ, empowered by the Spirit, rather than a set of external practices.

The Danger of Spiritual Stagnation

Murray critiques the acceptance of prolonged spiritual infancy among believers, likening it to a disease. 'Babyhood at the proper time is the most beautiful thing in the world, but babyhood continued too long is a burden and a sorrow.' He identifies dependence on others for spiritual nourishment and inability to help others as signs of immaturity, urging a move towards Spirit-led maturity through surrender.

The Battle Between Self and Christ

Murray introduces the concept of a spiritual battleground where self and Christ vie for dominance, emphasizing the necessity of denying self to follow Christ. 'It is either one or the other. There is no other choice for us; we must either deny self or deny Christ.' This idea challenges the sufficiency of partial surrender, presenting absolute surrender as the only path to true discipleship.

If we receive the Holy Spirit, the love of God will be shed abroad in our hearts, and God will melt us into one as never before.

The condition for obtaining God’s full blessing is absolute surrender to Him.

Love as the Essence of Spiritual Power

Murray elevates love beyond a virtue to the core of divine transformation, arguing that its absence grieves the Holy Spirit. 'The fruit of the Spirit is love. Wherever the children of God come together, they must love each other intensely, or the Spirit of God cannot do His work.' This reframes Christian practice as centered on supernatural love, enabling unity and power.

The fruit of the Spirit is love... because nothing but love can expel and conquer our selfishness.

The one thing above everything that grieves God’s Spirit is this lack of love.

Human Helplessness and Divine Omnipotence

Murray presents surrender as acknowledging human helplessness to access God's omnipotence. 'It is impossible for me, my God; let there be an end of the flesh and all its powers.' This paradigm shift from self-reliance to divine dependence is key to experiencing God's transformative power.

If our vow of absolute surrender to God was true and sincere, then it must mean absolute surrender to the divine love to fill me and to be a servant of love to love every child of God around me.

Peter went out and wept bitterly... That was the turning point and the change.

The Continuous Keeping Power of God

Murray challenges the belief in sporadic divine intervention, advocating for trust in God's unbroken keeping power. 'If you will entrust yourself entirely and absolutely to the omnipotence of God, He will delight to keep you.' This idea promotes a life of continuous surrender and fellowship with God.

Daily Surrender Practice

Begin each day by consciously yielding control over your decisions, possessions, and relationships to God, creating space for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully within you.

Invite the Holy Spirit Daily

Cultivate a daily practice of inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell within you and guide your actions, ensuring an unbroken fellowship with Christ.

Pray for All Believers

Make it a habit to pray for all believers, especially those who are struggling or persecuted, to foster unity and divine love within the global body of Christ.

Acknowledge Helplessness

Regularly acknowledge your limitations and surrender them to God in prayer, shifting reliance from self-effort to divine power for true spiritual victory.

Study Christ’s Life

Immerse yourself in the Gospels to study Jesus' life of absolute surrender, asking the Holy Spirit to help you embody His humility, obedience, and love in your daily life.

God does not ask you to perfectly surrender in your own strength or by the power of your will; God is willing to work it in you.

The life of Christ must become mine.

Are ye so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

If the light comes in, the darkness is expelled. It is the presence of Jesus, dwelling in us by the Holy Spirit, that can make us holy.

The Spirit is the Spirit of God’s love. He is the Spirit of the crucified love of Jesus.

Babyhood at the proper time is the most beautiful thing in the world, but babyhood continued too long is a burden and a sorrow.

Cry for it, claim it, accept it, and do not rest until you have it.

The fruit of the Spirit is love. Wherever the children of God come together, they must love each other intensely, or the Spirit of God cannot do His work.

It is impossible for me, my God; let there be an end of the flesh and all its powers, an end of self, and let it be my glory to be helpless.

With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

You fail because you do not accept the strength of God. God alone can work out His will in you.

The church will never be what God wants her to be… until the church will once again give up everything and wait upon God to be filled with the Spirit.

You cannot save yourself from the flesh, or even get rid of it, but if you come and accept Christ in you right now, He can lift you over into the new life.

The Holy Spirit still teaches His people... but God can only reveal His will to a heart that is humble and tender and empty.

Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work unto which I have called them.

Let death be to you the most desirable thing on earth: death to self for the sake of fellowship with Christ.

Jesus has such infinite riches and glory that He deserves it, and He is such a heavenly, spiritual, divine gift that unless we give up everything, our hearts cannot be filled with Him.

If we love Christ above everything, we must love humility above everything, for humility is the very essence of His life and glory.

The joy of the Holy Ghost is the joy of always loving, it is the joy of losing my own life in love to others.

Faith struggling, faith resting, faith triumphing.

We know not what to pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

If God is to let His love enter in and shine and burn through my heart, I must take time to be with Him.

Beloved friend, you do not know what you could do if you would give yourself up to intercession.

Trouble of any sort that comes to me is God’s will for me.

Is it not a sad thing to see a believer who has been converted five, ten, twenty years, and yet no growth, and no strength, and no joy of holiness?

Christ is around us on every side; Christ is pressing on us to enter, and there is nothing in heaven, or earth, or hell, that can keep the light of Christ from shining into the heart that is empty and open.

Reckon ye yourselves indeed to be dead unto sin and alive unto God in Christ Jesus.

The presence of Jesus by the Holy Spirit is meant to be unbroken, continual, and forever.

God is willing and ready to come to all who ask with sincere hearts.

If you will entrust yourself entirely and absolutely to the omnipotence of God, He will delight to keep you.

The beginning of faith is utter despair of self, a ceasing from man and everything on earth, and finding our hope in God alone.