Reflection on “In Christ Alone!” January 29, 2024
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! (Townend/Getty.) Story video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TI01sIeeOU
This is a fairly modern hymn, yet it has a basic prayer thought that tells us who Jesus is and what a difference He makes in the way we choose to live each day! For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10.
Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12. The Creation of Light was God’s first creation. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. Genesis1:3-5.
One song I loved singing when younger was the Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Indeed, the verses still recall the joy of the power of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.. For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:6-7.
Is it Jesus Alone? When I was baptized, I heard my minister say, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When we trust in the Trinity of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, we enjoy the abundant life. In John 10:10 Jesus says, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly! Psalm 133:1 reveals the basics of abundantly. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
What is it about light and darkness? In His Light. we find our way to pleasing God and we become a new creature, born again through faith, and believing in God. When Jesus was praying, He spoke to God, the Father, and going a little farther, He fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39. Jesus knew that His Father’s will be done and not His. The Lord Jesus taught the disciples to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-13. Jesus obeyed God the Father. What was to be accomplished? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
Obedience and Loving God is our purpose in life. For Jesus is our Shepherd, and we are His Sheep. The beginning of Psalm 23, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3. Leads. Restores. No fear, our comfort is with Him. This Psalm ends with, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6. Following Jesus in our lifetime leads to an abundant life. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16.
We all want to live in Peace. There are two verses that speak about peace: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6. Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27.
What is our greatest commandment? And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39. When our lives are centered in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Ii is then our desire to sing a new song, praising our Father and loving one another becomes important to us. Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. Psalm 98:1-2.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:14-17.