It was a Saturday night as Salvationists (members of Salvation Army church) gathered for the non-traditional service among some of the most heart-warmingly loving people I've known. I was helping to lead some of the worship, and we were singing "In Christ Alone"... This modern hymn has the same progression of Christian life found in most hymns and so full of solid, rich truth. Truth that anchors the soul in the midst of life's storms, not having to strive for God's approval but knowing that through Christ's righteousness we walk in the light of His pleasure. Just as the Father bestowed pleasure on His Son who took on flesh for our redemption, so through Him, He bestows the same pleasure on us...And then it hit me like it was the first time, like an overwhelming flood of His love and redemption and just as I was singing these words, I was overcome by them and wept: the Wrath of God was satisfied for every sin on Him was laid. My sin deserved the outpouring of God's wrath, and instead I am given His whole pleasure because He took upon Himself on the cross the Wrath of GOD. Others carried on the song as I continued strumming my guitar, tears of gratitude and awe streaming down my face.
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me! I'm no longer bound by the sins and struggles I once walked in. Because Christ was victorious, I can walk in His victory! What wonderful news! What hope! Romans 6:4 "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." This same SPIRIT who raised Jesus from the dead - the power that spoke worlds into existence, raised people to life, and knits us together in our mother's womb - lives in us and through Him causes us always to Triumph!! 2 Cor 2:14 But thanks be to God, the One always leading us in triumph in Christ, and through us in every place making manifest the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
I remember again when life would sway me...The end of the story is already written...I know how my story ends because of Him. Jesus commands my destiny. No power in hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. What hope! What JOY!!! I am struck again with love and wonder.
“In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay,Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.”
Story behind the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpipuCeGQn4
One of my favorite versions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipl-rLRxOrs
A beautiful acapella version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjiiF83q7G0
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