What is the first thing that comes to mind when your neighbors think about your faith? If you were known for one thing, what would it be?
These are the questions that inspired our song “Christ Alone.” Scripture teaches us that we are to have absolute confidence in the provision of Jesus Christ for our Salvation, but also that we need to carry that undeserved treasure with humility. There should not be such a thing as a perpetually arrogant Christian. We should be people of strong conviction and strong love.
Let it be said of us, Let it be true of us
That Christ alone was our desire
Let us be merciful, We who know mercies new
Let Christ alone be our pursuit
In Matthew 18:23-35 Jesus tells a parable about an unmerciful servant. The Master had forgiven his servant’s incredible debt. Yet when faced with the opportunity to do the same for another, the forgiven servant responded with rage. “He grabbed [the other servant] and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!'(v28)”
Jesus holds this up as a stern warning to us. As the third line of the song says “Let us be merciful, We who know mercies new.” God has given us new mercies every morning (Lam 3:22-23). How then should we treat others this day, but with abundant mercy?
The other clear distinctive of our lives is that we are sincerely fixed upon “Christ alone” as our hope, provision, and the only way to peace with God. Our call is for wide-reaching compassion along side deeply rooted conviction in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone.
Christ alone, Christ alone
There is yet no other hope
Christ is raised, Christ be praised
We will live for Christ alone
In Ephesians we are challenged to “speak the truth in love” (4:15). Those two things, love and truth, are the legs on which we walk. It is how we carry ourselves in relationships with people who are far from God. It is how we approach social issues and disagreements. It is how Christians should treat one another.
The antidote to hypocrisy is the Gospel. Verse 2 serves as a reminder to the church of the reality that the saving work of Christ was completely God’s work.
Let us whom God pursued, Hold humbly to this truth
From darkest death we now know life
By nothing of our own, In His perfection robed
Only in our redeemer Christ
The song “Christ Alone” is a prayer for the people of God. A request that we would be known for what is on God’s heart. That we would see people how God sees them. That our lives would reflect His Name and His truth.
So let us live our lives, worshiping Jesus Christ
Let us be marked by His love