In Christ Alone

Wars and rumors of war. Famine. The love of many waxed cold. Kingdom against kingdom, tribe against tribe. Men who are loves of themselves. Brother against brother. Wolves in sheep’s clothing. Sounds like something out of the Bible, doesn’t it? Well, it is out of the Bible, but it defines the world in which we are presently living. Turn on the news, read a blog, listen to a podcast, it is all the same thing- doom and gloom. Is there any hope for the future?
Many look to the government, to other people, the Stock Market, and even to religion for hope. People entrust their money to the stock market and then worry about it. People trust in other people until they can’t. People trust in religion yet have no security of heaven.

I know this may sound heretical, but instead of giving you a Bible verse about who to trust, I want to share a favorite song of mine. It is a hymn that expresses great Theological truth about hope and trust from many Bible verses.

Most of us are familiar with the song In Christ Alone. This song is categorized as a hymn. As you know, if you have read some of my previous blogs, I really like hymns. This hymn is a bit different though. It was not written by one of the “Great Hymn writers” of years gone by, it is quite modern, 2001 to be exact. The lyrics to the song were written by Stuart Townend and the music by Keith Getty. Both have written and co-written many theologically rich hymns.

Keith Getty wrote the music and sent it to Townend on a DVD. Townend then penned these lyrics that have encouraged the hearts and souls of thousands of Christians going through difficult times.

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 every 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 power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

So where is Hope to be found, here on earth and in eternity? In Christ Alone.

Here is a link to the song.

https://youtu.be/16KYvfIc2bE