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Ephesians 2:4-10 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– 9 not by works, so that no one can boast . 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Romans 8:1-11 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
And Can It Be? Living in the Wonder of Grace
This week in our Hymns and Their Stories series we are looking at hymns written by Charles Wesley. All three of our hymns today were written by him. His brother, John Wesley is known as the father of the Methodist denomination and Charles is the father of Methodist congregational singing. Charles holds the record for the most hymns written by a man, over 6,500! Now I specifically limited his record when I said, “by a man.” Fanny Crosby, who we will look at later in this series wrote over 8,000 hymns and she holds the record for the most hymns ever written by anyone.
Charles Wesley was born in England in 1707. He was the youngest son of Samuel and Susanna Wesley. We really can’t discuss Charles without also considering his brother, John who was four years older. Both attended Christ Church College at Oxford. While at Oxford in 1727 Charles Wesley sought to become closer to God and formed a prayer group with fellow students. It was jokingly called the Holy Club by others. They focused on prayer, Bible study, frequent Holy Communion, fasting, and visiting prisoners in Oxford prison. They became known as Methodists because of their “methodical” devotion and study. John came back to Oxford in 1729 and became the group’s leader. Among its members was George Whitfield, who became a famous preacher in his own right.
Both brothers had doubts about their experience of salvation. That was the reason Charles formed his “Holy Club”. He sought to find assurance through study and good works. Both John and Charles were ordained as Anglican clergymen. In 1735 both brothers sailed for America where they were to serve in the Georgia colony. It didn’t go well for either of them and they had both returned to England by 1737. They were influenced by Moravians who witnessed to them concerning salvation by grace through faith in Christ. As educated men they knew their scripture and the doctrines of their faith but their intellectual pursuits did not grant them the spiritual assurance they sought.
On Pentecost, May 21, 1738 Charles experienced spiritual peace. He wrote in his journal that the Spirit of God, “chased away the darkness of my unbelief”. Three days later in May 24th John had his own experience. He wrote in his journal the now-famous account of his conversion: “In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where someone was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed.”
John Wesley became an itinerant preacher throughout the British Isles. It is estimated that he rode over 250,000 miles on horseback and preached over 40,000 sermons. Both he and Charles are the founders of what became the Methodist denomination.
Charles also preached widely although he remained more closely to the Church of England than John. Charles is most known for his hymn writing many of which are still sung today. The hymn we are focusing on today was written by him following his conversion experience. This hymn reflects a personal relationship with Jesus through the experience of spiritual rebirth.
Charles Wesley begins his hymn with a question. “And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior’s blood?” He is asking if he benefits from Christ’s death on the cross. Now, questions can be asked in many different tones. On first glance this seems to be a rhetorical question. But remember, Charles is writing this song just after his conversion experience. He had just experienced the emotional reality of his salvation.
One author suggested his question isn’t one of incredulity (in-cre-dool-i-ty) as it is earnestly seeking after a reality that feels almost too good to be true.
His question is not rhetorical. He asks this question with wonder and amazement in his voice. . It’s a question soaked in astonishment: How can it be? Why me? What kind of love is this? Today, let’s allow the words of this hymn—and the truth of Scripture—to stir our hearts again to the mystery and majesty of the gospel.
Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou, my God, should die for me? How can he possibly benefit despite being the cause of Jesus’ death? How could we who pursued his death could be graced by it?
For our answer we turn to scripture. Paul states it quite plainly in Romans 5:8 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This is the gospel: God died for us. Not because we are good. Not because we are seeking Him. But while we were still dead in sin, Christ gave His life. Yes, Charles, Jesus Christ died for you. This is grace. God’s grace. Grace is not earned. It’s shocking. That’s why Wesley phrases it as a question. Who could believe it?
You see, Charles has long believed in the abstract truths of the Christian faith but prior to this he has never applied them to himself personally especially given his sin.
This first verse expresses wonder and amazement at the redemptive act of God and his offering of free grace to all, even those “who caused his pain.” This wonder is further emphasized by the repeated phrase “For me” in lines three and four. Charles can scare believe that God did this for him. His head knowledge has become heart knowledge.
This verse represents the perspective of someone who believes abstractly in the truths of the Christian faith but wonders if they can be applied to his life personally, especially given his own sin. Notice the individuality of each question, which asks if Christ’s sacrifice can really be for me, a sinner.
The second verse continues this sense of awe with its opening line. It expresses amazement at the apparent paradox of the death of the immortal Christ — “‘Tis mystery all! Th’Immortal dies!” Wesley expresses the inomprehensibility of God’s love and mercy in this sacrifice revealed in the redemptive death and resurrection of Christ. The paradox of God dying is indeed a “strange design” beyond our understanding. The verse continues In vain the first born seraph tries to sound the depth of love divine. This paraphrases 1 Peter 1:12 saying that even the angels cannot fathom the depth of this love divine and long to look into these things.
The third verse is where this hymn becomes especially beautiful and profound. Wesley recounts the infinite grace and mercy of Christ’s love and humility in the incarnation, death, and finding of lost sinners. The following verse celebrates the Incarnation of Jesus and borrows a verse from Philippians 2:6–8, “Emptied himself of all but Love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race”
This is essentially a poetic paraphrase of Philippians 2, of the eternal Son not holding onto his divine standing in heaven but instead taking the form of a man in order to die on the cross (Philippians 2:5-11). Wesley captures the idea with a brilliant line, one of the best in all Christian poetry, that Jesus “emptied himself of all but love.” Wesley understands that though Jesus emptied himself in his incarnation and passion, it was precisely his incarnation and passion that revealed love as the character of God.
The fourth verse tells us, “Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature’s night. Here Wesley turns his attention to the bondage of his own sin and the freedom he has found in Christ. With the line “Thine eye diffused a quickening ray”, Wesley describes the liberating power of God descending on the captive soul. John 8:36 tells us, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” True freedom is found only in Christ.
With the line, “I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee.” He is referring to the times when both Peter and Paul were in prison and miraculously freed by angels.
Acts 12:7 says, “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”
Also in Acts 16:25-26 we read, “25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.”
This verse feels the most intensely autobiographical, coming shortly after Wesley’s conversion experience. But it also works as a conversion narrative, in general terms, for anyone who sings the hymn with a deep awareness of the bondage of sin and the true hope of the gospel.
The hymn ends, ”No condemnation now I dread. This final verse refers to our scripture from Romans 8. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Our passage from Romans is about the transformation and empowerment that believers experience through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, leading them away from the bondage of sin towards a life guided by the spirit.. It contrasts life under the law with life under grace, emphasizing the freedom and new identity believers have in Christ. The phrase “No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” signifies the complete forgiveness and absolution from sin for those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. It means that believers are no longer judged by their past sins but are seen as righteous through Christ. Similarly, “The law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” highlights the transition from the old covenant, based on adherence to the law, to the new covenant of grace through the Holy Spirit, liberating believers from the power of sin and eternal death.
This truth has finally sunk in for Charles. He now knows Jesus is his. He is truly alive in Christ. He has been justified by Christ and adopted into the family of God. He is clothed in the righteousness of Christ and he is now free to approach the throne of grace.
Let us pray: Lord, we are amazed at Your love. We confess we often treat grace like it’s small or ordinary. Forgive us. Open our eyes again to the cross—To the power, the mercy, the freedom You offer.Let us rise, go forth, and follow Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.