While Jesus doesn't give a single, universally agreed-upon list of three things that define surrender to him, we can identify three key themes consistently emphasized in his teachings:
1. Deny Yourself: This is often expressed as "take up your cross." It means prioritizing Jesus and his will above your own desires, ambitions, and comforts. It's about selflessness and recognizing that your life is no longer your own, but belongs to Christ. (See Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23)
2. Follow Him: This goes beyond intellectual agreement. It means actively obeying his commands, imitating his example, and walking in his footsteps. It's about living a life that reflects his values of love, compassion, forgiveness, and service. (See Matthew 4:19, John 8:12, John 10:27)
3. Love God and Love Others: This is the essence of Jesus' teachings and summarizes the entire Law and the Prophets. Loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind is the foundation, and loving your neighbor as yourself is the practical application of that love. (See Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:27)
Therefore, if we are to surrender to Jesus, he is calling us to deny ourselves, follow him, and love God and others.