This song was released in 2001 and is probably still one of the most popular Christian songs of the century so far. It was composed by a Northern Irishman named Keith Getty and an Englishman named Stuart Townend. This song was the first time Getty had ever collaborated with another songwriter.
Getty offered his description of the song’s composition: “It grew first out of an excitement to write hymns that would help twenty-first century Christians sing, know, and embrace the incredible truths of the Lord in fresh language, and second out of a frustration with the lack of depth in the songs that were being sung in many churches. We envisaged a hymn that told the incredible story of the gospel and settled on the title ’In Christ Alone.’”
This song is abounding in Scripture. Getty and Townend created a masterpiece with this for sure. It speaks to God’s attributes that He has revealed to us, what God has done for us through Jesus Christ, and what our response will be for all eternity. It’s beautifully written and beautifully sung by Getty’s wife, Kristyn, and Alison Krauss.
Right from the beginning, “In Christ alone, my hope is found” speaks of when Jesus told His disciples that He is the only pathway to heaven and life eternal. (John 14:6). “He is my light, my strength, my song.” This speaks to God, specifically Jesus, as our Light (1 Peter 2:9), as our Strength (Psalm 46:1), and as our New Song (Psalm 40:3).
This song speaks of Jesus Christ as: “This Cornerstone, this solid ground. Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.” In fact, Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone and the foundation for the whole Christian Church (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). This is also a reference to Jesus telling His disciples (and us) to build upon His Rock and not on the sand of the evil one. (Matthew 7:24-27).
“What heights of love, what depths of peace.” Jesus Christ’s love for us is expressed in His sacrifice on the cross. (Romans 5:6-8). And although Jesus came the first time to bring a sword of division, not peace (Matthew 10:34), we can rest assured that He grants us His peace in following Him. (John 14:27).
“When fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My Comforter, my all in all. Here, in the love of Christ, I stand.” Following Jesus leads to fearlessness, despite the terrors, hatred, and evil that surrounds us in this world. That is because He has already overcome this world. (John 16:33). Because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross, our strivings for gain in this world cease and we no longer live for ourselves, but for God. (2 Corinthians 5:15 and Philippians 2:16).
“In Christ alone, who took on flesh. Fullness of God in helpless babe.” Again, this is straight out of Scripture. (John 1:14 and Philippians 2:5-7). Jesus, the only Son of God, humbled Himself when He stepped down from His throne in heaven to be incarnate in human flesh. Jesus is fully God and fully human; Jesus could die. This is why God had His angel warn Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt until Herod, who was looking to kill Him, was dead. (Matthew 2:13-15).
“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.”
Both love (1 John 4:8) and righteousness (Isaiah 46:13) are attributes of God. His love for us is the greatest gift that God could offer us. He loves us more than He loves Himself, even if we don’t love Him. His love for us is demonstrated by Jesus’ willful sacrifice for us on the cross where He paid the full penalty for our sin. (1 Peter 2:24). It is through Jesus Christ alone that we can attain life eternal in heaven with God. (John 3:15-17).
“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.”
Jesus was buried in an empty tomb after He was crucified. (John 19:38-42). However, just three days later, Jesus rose Himself from the grave, defeating death! (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20). Because of Christ’s suffering and death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, we are no longer slaves to sin, rather, we are slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:15-23). Jesus did not purchase our freedom from the chains of sin with gold or silver; He purchased it with His very blood, death, and life – something much more precious than anything we can ever imagine. (1 Peter 1:18-19).
“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. Could ever pluck me from His hand. ‘Til He returns or calls me home. Here in the power of Christ, I stand.”
It is truly awesome and wonderful that we no longer face condemnation because of our sin. (Romans 8:1). God is sovereign over all of creation, including all of us. Because of Jesus’ completed work of salvation, the gates of hell can never prevail against us. (Matthew 16:18). No thing and no person can ever separate us from God’s love for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:35-39). Regardless of when we die or when Christ returns on Judgment Day, our eternal praise in heaven will happen. (Revelation 5:9-13). Praise be to Him who was slain!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Philip Frank
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