In Christ Alone

No, it's not the song. Though, that is a great song. Instead, the following are glorious thoughts to meditate on while singing the song in church. Actually, they're glorious thoughts to meditate on anywhere, and I trust they will cause you to worship.

In line with Wednesday's post and in the wake of my reading and meditating upon God Is the Gospel, here's a quote from John Calvin exhorting us to treasure Christ as God's greatest gift, and to seek all the benefit imaginable in Him. Enjoy.

When we see salvation whole,

its every single part

is found in Christ,

And so we must beware

lest we derive the smallest drop

from somewhere else.

For if we seek salvation, the very name of Jesus

teaches us

that He possesses it.

If other Spirit-given gifts are sought—

in His anointing they are found;

strength—in His reign;

and purity—in His conception;

and tenderness—expressed in His nativity,

in which in all respects like us He was,

that He might learn to feel our pain:

Redemption when we seek it, is in His passion found;

acquittal—in His condemnation lies;

and freedom from the curse—in His own cross is given.

If satisfaction for our sins we seek—we’ll find it in His sacrifice;

and cleansing in His blood.

If reconciliation now we need, for this He entered Hades.

To overcome our sins we need to know

that in His tomb they’re laid.

Then newness of our life—His resurrection brings

and immortality as well comes also with that gift.

And if we also long to find

inheritance in heaven’s reign,

His entry there secures it now

with our protection, safety, too, and blessings that abound

—all flowing from His royal throne.

The sum of all is this:

For those who seek

this treasure-trove of blessings of all kinds,

in no one else can they be found than Him,

for all are given

in Christ alone.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
in Christ.
- Ephesians 1:3 -