SONGS THAT GIVE MY SOUL WINGS (PART II)

“In Christ Alone My Hope Is Found”

By Akin Ojumu

Composed by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty in 2001, In Christ Alone is a song that lyrically demonstrates the rhythm and melody of the Gospel of Christ. The song is a musical retelling of what Christ accomplished on the behalf of wretched sinners like you and me.

Whenever I listen to the song, I’m reminded that Christ has done it all for me, and there’s nothing left for me to do. The very thought of that gives my soul wings. As a warm rush wash over my soul, it’s as though my feet might not touch the ground. I often feel as though a tight band around my chest has suddenly snapped, and my heart begins to sing.

Describing the inspiration for writing the song, Keith Getty says:

“I began the whole subject of telling the story of Christ, and in particular, what that means for us; what Christ has done and what that means in our lives. The first verse sets the scene of who we are in Christ, and then it goes into the subject of what Christ has done for us. And the final verse, really, is saying, “Therefore, because of that, I have no guilt in life, no fear of death. And that the destiny of my life is held by God.” And it is such an important message because we so often try to pin our hopes on how well we are doing…whether we do it consciously or not, I think we tend to do that. Whereas the whole message of grace is that it is not dependent at all on how well I do. It is dependent on what He has done. So, this fact of history comes together with my position and my faith and who I am in Christ. And because of the solidity of who Christ is…the solidity of, historically, what He has done for me, that means I can rely on that. So, it doesn’t depend on whether I feel good or bad, whether I’m successful or I fail in the Christian life. It depends on who He is.”

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.

Stuart Townend & Keith Getty Copyright © 2001

Dedicated to my Niece, Dr Ruth Jesutofunmi Adedokun. May this song give your soul wings.