I Then Shall Live

Following Passion Week, I find myself reflecting on what I should be doing as a follower of Christ. I ask myself the question “What then should I be doing?” Should I be thankful for what Jesus did for me on the Cross? Absolutely. Should I live a life filled with joy because of what was accomplished on the Cross as well as what is promised as a result of Christ’s Resurrection? Definitely. I really like the following lyrics of this week’s hymn. They boldly proclaim the kind of life that should be lived if one has truly encountered Christ.

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven.
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father; I am His child and I am not afraid.
So, greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother; The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion.
I’ve been so loved, that I’ll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges; I’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment, Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.

Your Kingdom come around and through and in me; Your power and glory, let them shine through me.
Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor, And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor, And may You feed a hungry world through me.

Written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, this song is a musical response to a popular book from the 1970’s.  Back in 1976, a popular book and film series was written and narrated by Frances Shaeffer entitled “How should we then live?”  This book inspired the Gaithers to write this beautiful song answering that particular question.  I believe the words of this song are powerful and are true.  We should live as people that are forgiven and loved.  As people of joy and commitment.  I hope that you can proclaim that as a follower of Christ who has been changed by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit that you will live this way too.

Here’s a link to a youtube video of this song if you are unfamiliar with this song:

Couple of comments on the lyrics:

• “So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother” – As someone who has three brothers, this phrase jumped out at me.  Isn’t it a reality sometimes that it is harder to forgive those closest to us, than it is to forgive a complete stranger?  Maybe the offenses we receive from our family are more hurtful, or cut deeper, and we have a harder time forgiving those family members.  Or maybe we know our family too well and we know where the “skeletons are buried” and so we find it difficult to forgive those closest to us.  This line, however, reminds us where the right perspective of forgiveness comes from.  It is not based upon how repentant someone is toward us.  It is not whether or not they deserve to be pardoned.  It is because we have been so greatly pardoned, that we have an obligation to forgive.  Yes, even to forgive our brothers.  In the story of The Prodigal Son, one of the lessons we learn is that the Father’s forgiveness was not mirrored by the son i.e. the brother.  The brother knew what his sibling had done.  The brother knew the emotional and financial toll his sibling had inflicted on the Father.  Yet, the Father’s guidance came from a heart of forgiveness.  A heart that can truly forgive one’s brother.

• “I’ll be there to care and follow through” – I like the combination of these words.  How easy it is to care for someone or something, but not make the commitment to stick with them through the tough times.  How easy it is to say “I will pray for you,” but how quickly I find myself forgetting to do the things I know I should do.  To love with a Christ-like love means to have both concern and commitment to one another.  It is what is called “putting feet to the Gospel” or getting your hands dirty to invest in someone’s life.  This is a challenging thought, but true nonetheless.

• “May you feed a hungry world through me” – This sounds like an awesome task.  How can one person feed a hungry world?  It is almost as challenging as it is to think about feeding, clothing and visiting Jesus.  That seems like something I am unqualfied to do, but Jesus reminds us that when we feed, clothe, and visit the “least of these” we are doing the same to Him. Yes, we can feed a hungry world, and by doing so, do the same to the Lord if we have the right perspective about our giving and compassion toward others.

Did you know that the word “Then” appears 2,245 times in the King James Version of the Bible?  The word “then” has several meanings.  One definition of “then” is “immediately or soon afterward.”  So “How then shall you live?” immediately following a week where we remember the pain, the passion and the suffering of Christ?  “How then shall you live” soon after the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection?  I pray that you let these important remembrances change you, and I hope that you will pray that these events that we just celebrated will change me too.