"In Christ Alone"

In 2001, Keith Getty and Stuart Townend wrote and published a song called "In Christ Alone." They probably didn't know that it would become a classic hymn of the church. It's in my "top five hymns of all time" list. We sang it in church last Sunday and I was reminded of just how good it is. Here it 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,
Fulness 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 ev'ry 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 pow'r of Chirst in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home -
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

This hymn never fails to bring tears to my eyes - the realization, that is, that it is only because of Jesus Christ and His finished work on my behalf that I can stand in His presence. Deep theology wrapped in excellent music. What more could we ask for?