In 2001 two Christian Hymn writer, Keith Getty and Stuart Townend after been introduced by a friend came together after what seemed like a cup of coffee ago and wrote a song that has totally transitioned in its 19 year into our faith and hope in God – In Christ alone

This song actually points to the sacrifice Christ made for us, which makes it possible for us to stand before Him pure and blameless not because we haven’t sinned but because he paid it all. The powerful hymn is divided into four verses and each verse has something significant to tell us as believers in Christ and the finished work done on the cross.

Jesus is everything to us

The hymn starts with this verse by first telling us that Christ is everything we ever hoped for.

It puts it firmly that Christ is everything; it’s in Him our hope is found as Christians, He is our light, strength, song, cornerstone, solid ground. He is always there in hardship and our comforter. Not only is he with us, he loves us and gives us peace; peace beyond understanding. What’s amazing is the last statement which encourages us to stand in the love of Christ. Christ’s love is deeper, wider, bigger, and greater than anything we could ever imagine.

Read also: Light of the World: You cannot be hidden

Jesus on Earth

Because of Christ’s love for us, he came to earth and suffered to make this union believers have with Him possible. Verse 2 talks about what happened on Earth.

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

‘Til 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

Christ who is divine took on flesh. He didn’t just appear on earth, he went through the whole process – he became a baby. He was also scorned by the ones he loved and came to save but He went on to die for us because despite all that humans did to him, He still loved us greatly and wanted to reconcile us to God; He made salvation possible for all. Because of Christ’s death on the cross, we have a new life; we no longer are slaves to sin because he bore all our sins and bought us with His blood. His death was very significant to who we are now as believers. Just like the first verse, the second verse ends with such a profound reality – ‘Here in the death of Christ I live’. Glory!

Death and Resurrection

Christ died and he resurrected. Verse 3 tells us the impact of this death and resurrection.

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

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on us and because of Christ’s death and resurrection, we have a union life with Jesus therefore, we are His and He is ours. All these were made possible because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. His blood bought us and made us complete and whole. We now have a new life, one of victory and free of sin and death.

The power of Christ in Us

Because of the birth, death and resurrection of Christ, we get to enjoy a new life in Christ. Take a look at the last verse of the hymn.

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

Just look at how beautifully written this verse is. No guilt in life, no fear in death, no power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck us from His hands. Nothing can keep us in bondage because of the liberty we have in Christ. Nothing has power over us because of the power of Christ in us. It is this power that makes us say no to sin (Titus 2: 11-12), it makes us confident that God has great plans for us and only Him can write our destinies. Because of the cross, there is great grace available for all.

One day, Christ will return and take his people or we would be called home and be received with so much joy. What a glorious day that would be, to finally be clothed in Glory. Nothing compares to this. Just like the last line says – Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Conclusion

This hymn points to who Jesus is to us, what he did on earth and on the cross and the power of Christ that works in us. As I like to put it, Christ finished work. The death of Jesus made all these possible, the love Christ has for us pushed him to make this big sacrifice.

In case you ever doubted God’s love, be encouraged knowing that Christ loves you so much and the evidence is what he did on the cross to reconcile you with God. You are therefore no longer a slave to sin and the pleasures of the flesh because being saved by Christ, He is working in you and giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him (Phil 2:13).

Therefore, you no longer need to struggle to meet up, you no longer need that pain and burden, you can lay them all down at his feet, take up his yoke for it is easy (Matt 11:30). You no longer need to depend on your strength because He has made His own strength available for you. So boast in your weaknesses because you know that through your weakness, the power of Christ is made manifest in you (2 Cori 12:9).

Remember, Christ finished work for you and all these were made possible in Christ alone.