And it means he’ll miss this month’s Six Nations game against France.

The 29-year-old has told how he even snubs coffee or dinner invitations on the Lord’s Day as he does not want to “encourage other people to work”.

Murray said: “It’s basically all or nothing following Jesus. I don’t believe in pick ’n’ mix Christianity. I believe the Bible is the word of God, so who am I to ignore something from it?

“I might as well tear out that page, then keep tearing out pages as and when it suits me. If I started out like that there would soon be nothing left.”

Murray’s recent decision to keep Sunday as a day of worship means he will miss Scotland’s opening Six Nations game against France on February 7 and, potentially, some key matches with his club, Northampton.

Despite his religious stance, Murray has played for Scotland before on a Sunday – in the 2008 Six Nations against France.

But he said turning out to play on a Sunday had grown increasingly painful.

Murray, who has 28 caps, said: “I was going against my conscience and it became impossible to enjoy.

“I realised it’s quite simple, really. Jesus said, ‘If you love me, keep my commandments’, and there are ten commandments – not nine.”

It is understood that a clause in Murray’s new club contract, stating he does not have to play on Sundays, is unique in top-flight rugby. Glasgow-born Murray turned to Christ while recovering from an injury in 2005, and since then his faith has grown stronger.

While insisting he will continue to give his all for club and country, Murray – a qualified vet – said his faith comes first.

He added: “I’ve talked about the ‘call to excellence’ I perceive in the Bible, being the best you can be, and I try to present myself as a living sacrifice to the Lord.

“I want to excel in rugby because that’s where I’ve been given the opportunity to serve my God – but it has to fit with the way I want to live my life.

“The most important thing in my life will always be serving Christ.

“I want to live my life believing and doing the things he wants and the Sabbath day is a full day.

“It’s not just a case of a couple of hours in church then playing rugby or going down the pub, it’s the full day.”