Religion: A Pastor Ponders

Unconditional Surrender

by Pastor William Jenkins

February 18, 2005

Some words, like some names, are far more dramatic than others. On Feb. 16, 1862, when General U.S. Grant laid down his terms for an unconditional surrender of the besieged Confederate soldiers at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, he became known as “Unconditional Surrender” Grant.

Unconditional surrender is a tough demand, unless there exists within the terms a favorable condition. With all the Valentine cards changing hands last Monday, I venture to say that there are a few folks whose hearts have gladly surrendered unconditionally to someone they love.

That’s what genuine love is, the favorable condition for an unconditional surrender. Listen to the wedding vows: “For better or worse, for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until I die”. Sounds like unconditional surrender to me. Only love makes the terms attractive. Strangely enough, marriages can only flourish under the terms of unconditional surrender. Whenever conditions are introduced, trouble is in the making.

In the Gospels, Jesus sets forth the terms of Christian discipleship as unconditional surrender. On one occasion He advised one who would follow Him, “Sell all you have, give the money to the poor, then come follow Me.”

On another occasion He called fishermen to abandon their livelihood, become itinerant apostles and follow Him. In another place He said, “Any of you who does not give up everything cannot be My disciple.” This manner of speaking makes “Unconditional Surrender” (U.S.) Grant
seem rather lenient.

Not everyone is able to accept an unconditional surrender. What is the compelling condition for those who are willing to submit to an unconditional surrender? Quite simply, it is love. Love is the only condition that makes unconditional surrender appealing in matters of the heart and in matters of faith.

As you journey through this season of Lent, remember the call of Christ to an unconditional surrender and the favorable condition that makes it appealing.

League City United Methodist Church is located at 1411 Main Street (FM 518), one block east of Interstate 45. For information, call the church offices at 281-332-1557 or visit the website at

HYPERLINK - http://www.lcumc.org