Sunday, March 3, 2013

Featured Article: In Christ Alone

Featured Article: In Christ Alone by Jenni B.


With Easter approaching, I did a Google search of the word “Easter.” Bunnies, eggs, and chocolate were the results.  It wasn’t until I searched “Easter Jesus” is when pictures of a cross, Jesus and the Tomb appeared. 

When did Easter become all about plastic eggs instead of what our Heavenly Father chose to do to claim eternal salvation for you and me?

We need to be intentional about our Easter celebrations.  Yes, it’s fun to watch the kids hunt for eggs.  And of course, I’m all for chocolate bunnies! 

But the fact of it is, without Christ’s sacrifice, we would have no Easter.  This world we live in would be very different. 

In church this past Sunday we sang a song titled, “In Christ Alone” originally by Travis Cottrell.  Every time I hear this song, tears are inevitable, and in my opinion is the ultimate Easter message.

As it says in one verse, “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.” 

Only in Christ alone are we truly free.  Free from ourselves.  Free from persecution for our wrong-doings.

Only in Christ alone can we face our fears.  No scheme of man, no power of hell, not even fear of death should shake us. 

Only because of Christ’s sacrifice we will never have to repay our debt of sin. 

Easter is a gift to every one of us.  I choose to explain to my kids the meaning behind the holiday, in all it’s gruesome, glorious detail.

Here are the lyrics to this beautiful song:

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.
‘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.

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.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.

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.
‘Til He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Friends, be intentional this Easter.  You will never give your kids a better gift than to explain the Gift Christ gave to them.