This hymn's been rattling about in my head a lot recently.
(It's number 332 in the "Redemption Songs" hymnbook. The music was arranged by William James Kirkpatrick - his name's a dead giveaway that he was more than likely of Ulster descent. And he was born in Duncannon, Pennsylvania.)
As a struggling believer, trying to live each day as I should but making a mess of it and falling far far short most all of the time, I often wonder about doing "enough". Praying "enough". Giving "enough". Helping "enough". Witnessing "enough".
But no matter what I do - no matter what any believer does - it's never enough. Because "enough" would imply that what Christ did for us has limits and can in some way be measured... and therefore could perhaps be repaid through our own actions and works.
"Enough" only works in one context, and the chorus of the hymn explains its magnificent simplicity:
"I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me..."
Sunday, November 25, 2007
"...not in device or creed..."
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2 comments:
Good posting, Mark.
I finished reading Thomas Watson's Body o' Divinity recently. He screived about the strugglin' Christ-yin that "He may shoot short, but he always shoots straight." I took a lot o' comfort frae that quote.
P/s Nice tae see ye in Dublin recently.
Yep, what Jesus did is more than enough! He lived the perfect life and obeyed the Law perfectly, gave himself up as the spotless Lamb for our sins, and rose from the dead to seal our acceptance into Heaven. In contrast, "All our righteous acts are as filthy rags." He even gives us the faith to believe in him!
You might enjoy the songs "More Than Enough" and "He Took My Part" from a CD called More Than Enough by a couple of American Lutherans....
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