Hang around Christians for long enough and you’re bound to hear a John Newton quote. Not only for writing Amazing Grace, the most recognizable song of the last 200 years, but also for beautifully and succinctly expressing some of the most relatable truths of the Christian life. Some have said that Gospel growth and maturity leads to a greater awareness of our sin and yet a deepening confidence in Christ. Of such an experience, Newton wrote late in life: “Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” What simplicity.
And still, how often does the enemy seek to hold our sin in front of our face, accusing us of our inadequacy to stand before God? What makes this temptation often so effective is that the enemy’s lie is built on a half-truth. It’s true that we can’t stand before God in our own strength or effort, but the full truth is that for those united with Christ, we can stand before God in His righteousness! Look at Jude 1:24: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.” What glory.
In our discipleship class on the book of Revelation, we saw in chapter 4 how the eternal worship of God is Christ-centered. The centrality of Christ upon our everyday lives of worship means that though we see how great our sin is before a holy God, we trust in our greater Savior who stood in our place so we might stand in His (2 Cor 5:21). We don’t get bogged down into a pit of self-pity, but rather we look up to see our value as Christ’s ransomed possession. The centrality of Christ upon our corporate worship together means that every single week, we must liturgically walk through the Gospel in everything we do, say, sing, pray, preach, and see. Because the only way to respond to a holy God, to stand before Him, is through Christ. We must never dare to approach God apart from Christ.
Modern hymn “Before the Throne of God Above” helps us to remember that we can boldly approach the throne of grace in the name of our Great High Priest who pleads the case we could not plead for ourselves. In Him we are righteous, holy, accepted, and loved with an everlasting love. Let’s sing it boldly and joyfully!
- Jonathan
Before the Throne of God Above
Written by Charitie Lees Bancroft, Vikki Cook
Lyrics:
Before the throne of God above (Rev 5:7-15)
I have a strong and perfect plea (1 Tim 2:5; Jude 1:24)
A great High Priest whose name is love (Heb 4:14)
Who ever lives and pleads for me (Heb 7:25)
My name is graven on His hands (Is 49:16; Jn 10:28)
My name is written on His heart (Eph 1:4-6; Heb 12:23; Rev 21:27)
I know that while in heaven He stands (Rev 11:15)
No tongue can bid me thence depart (1 Cor 1:8)
When Satan tempts me to despair (2 Cor 11:3; James 1:14-15)
And tells me of the guilt within (1 Thess 3:5; Rev 12:10)
Upward I look and see Him there (Heb 4:14; Jam 1:12; Rev 12:11)
Who made an end of all my sin (John 1:29; Gal 2:20; 1 Thess 3:13)
Because the sinless Savior died (Rom 3:25; Phil 2:8)
My sinful soul is counted free (John 8:36; 1 Pet 1:3)
For God the Just is satisfied (Rom 3:26)
To look on Him and pardon me (Rom 3:24-25)
Behold Him there, the risen Lamb (Lk 24:6-7; Rev 5:6; 17:14)
My perfect, spotless Righteousness (Rom 3:22; 2 Cor 5:21)
The great unchangeable I Am (Is 9:6; Jn 1:1, 10:30, 14:9-11; Hb 13:8)
The King of glory and of grace (Ps 24:8; John 1:14; Rev 19:16)
One with Himself, I cannot die (Jn 8:51; Rom 6:5; 1 Cor 1:9)
My soul is purchased by His blood (Rom 5:9; 1 Cor 6:20; 1 Pet 1:19)
My life is hid with Christ on high (John 6:37; Col 3:3; 1 Pet 1:4)
With Christ my Savior and my God (Mt 28:20; Rom 6:23; Jude 1:25)
© 1997 Sovereign Grace Worship / CCLI #193208
