Only by His grace...

Some of you may be wondering why I chose the name I did for my blog...so, as a first real post, I will tell you. The statement "In Christ Alone" is, in many ways, the theme of my life. It is because of Christ alone that I "live and move and exist..." (Acts 17:28) He formed me, made me, and has sustained me to this point in my life, and will for the rest of my life. However, more than just being the reason for my physical existance, Christ is the reason for my eternal hope. It is because of Christ's work on the cross that I can be at peace with God. Why is it important for me to be at peace with God? Because I am a sinner, by nature. Romans 3:10-12 says that "There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; they have all turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one." Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" From conception I was a sworn enemy of God, I did not seek Him, I did not love him, my actions violated His holy law and I was justly under condemnation for my sin. Romans 6:23 reveals that the just payment for sin is death "For the wages of sin is death". However the rest of the verse explains why I have hope: "...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This life in Christ is made possible by Christ's death on the cross over 2.000 years ago. Christ died in my place. Christ is my substitute before God because He took the death penalty for me. The words of the song "In Christ Alone" by the Newsboys tells the same message:

"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

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"

I love this song. It is always an encouragment to me. The longer I know Christ, the more profoundly impacted I am by the depth of my sin...but more so the abounding grace and mercy of a HOLY God that chose to love me and pour out His grace on me. So, that is why I named my blog "In Christ Alone". As far as the more personal side of my story...I was born in a home where I was taught about God from the time I was an little. Always went to church, was an outwardly good kid. But my heart was far from the Lord. I was selfish and only sought what would best serve me. When I was a teenager, my family went through some really tough times. The Lord used this to show me how much of a sinner I was. At the same time I started listening to Grace to You (a radio ministry of John MacArthur...see www.gty.org) The Word of God was clearly taught and I saw that the only way for me to be forgiven of my sin was to repent and turn to Christ for mercy. God softened my heart to my sin and brought me to repentance and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of my sin. Since then, God has grown me more and more in my love for and understanding of the gospel. It is my hope and prayer that all who read this blog will come to understand what great sinners they are and how great a Savior Christ is...