In Jesus

This week’s hymn is one of those hymns that I think requires the background of the hymn before one reads the lyrics to it.  The words to this song were written by a man named James Proctor.  Mr. Proctor grew up in a Christian home, but in his teens, he renounced Christianity and it’s teachings.  He joined what was called the “Free-Thinker’s Society,” an organization whose primary goal was to stand in opposition to the Church and it’s literal view of Scripture (sounds like some groups that are still around today).  Mr. Proctor was an active member in this organization, and eventually became it’s President.

However, later in life, Mr. Proctor became deathly ill.  He did not believe that he was going to live, and in desperation, called for a minister of the Gospel.  Mr. Proctor subsequently gave his heart to Christ, and pinned the words to this song for his friends in the “Free-Thinkers Society.”  These words were later set to music by a famous composer, Robert Harkness. 

As you read the words today, at first, I hope you picture a man defiant and confident in his own knowledge.  Maybe someone you know that is confident in their atheistic or agnostic beliefs.  I then want you to picture a broken man, a humbled man, and a desperate man, and remind yourself that God is still looking for these kinds of people today.  Maybe someone that you know who’s heart seems so hard to the Gospel.  And then keep in mind that God can use trials and tribulations to bring these people to a point of desperation, and He can save their souls.  These kinds of people have dramatic conversions, and then are able to share their marvelous conversion stories to the world of how great a Savior we serve.

I’ve tried in vain a thousand ways
My fears to quell, my hopes to raise;
But what I need, the Bible says,
Is ever, only Jesus.

My soul is night, my heart is steel
I cannot see, I cannot feel;
For light, for life, I must appeal
In simple faith to Jesus.

He died, He lives, He reigns, He pleads;
There’s love in all His words and deeds;
There’s all a guilty sinner needs
Forevermore in Jesus.

Tho’ some should sneer, and some should blame,
I’ll go with all my guilt and shame;
I’ll go to Him because His Name,
Above all names, is Jesus.

Couple of comments on the lyrics:

• “But what I need, the Bible says…” – Isn’t it interesting that in our day of what I will call “psycho-babble,” we can make every excuse for why we are the way we are?  I can hear the modern psychologist say “It is your parents’ fault.”  “It is in your genes, you just can’t help it.”  “You are a product of your environment.”  This author, so eloquently reminds us, that after we try all the vain solutions to our problems, we come back to this simple truth.  Sin is the problem, and there is only one solution to the problem of sin – Jesus.  As the author reminds us, “the Bible says” are words of truth.  Timeless truth.  Deep, penetrating truth and everlasting truth.  What this “free-thinker” needed was not found in a philosophy textbook or self-help manual.  What he needed was found in “The Book” – the Bible.
• “Simple faith” – When I think of “simple faith,” I think of “child-like” faith.  A faith that trusts a Dad to catch them when he throws them in the air.  A faith that doesn’t worry about the next meal, the next paycheck, the next set of new clothes.  A child simply has faith that their parents will provide.  We, too, can have “simple faith.”  Not a faith that tries to figure everything out on our own.  But a simple faith that says to God “I know You are working.  I know You care, and I know You will take care of me.”  That is simple faith.
• “He died, He lives, He reigns, He pleads” – What was interesting to me about this line in the hymn is that we probably spend plenty of time thinking about Jesus’ death, Jesus’ resurrection, and Jesus reigning on the throne.  But I personally don’t think of Him “pleading” as often as I should.  He is pleading for sinners to come to the Cross and be saved.  Jesus said “Behold, I stand at the door and knock” pleading for sinners to come to Christ.  But He also pleads to the Father on our before.  Romans 8:34 really summarizes the meaning of this line when it says “…It is Christ that died (He died), yea rather, that is risen again (He lives), who is even at the right hand of God (He reigns), who also maketh intercession for us (He pleads).”

After reading this hymn and the story behind it, I wondered if we need to start a “Free-Livers Society.”  (No, I am not talking about distributing chicken livers or beef livers to folks at no cost.  You couldn’t pay me to eat either of them).  I am talking about a society of people who are living their lives in a state of freedom.  The Bible says “He whom the Son has set free, is free indeed.”  Jesus said while quoting an Old Testament prophet “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  The Bible says “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” And it also says “In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”

I pray today that you have been set free by the power of God’s saving grace “In Jesus” and that you have become of member of His family.  (Whether you want to join the “Free-Livers Society”, I will leave up to you).