‘This Most Incredible Christ-life’ is a declaration, exploration and explanation of the incredible statements that undergird the Bible verse ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.’ It proclaims the life-giving and love-affirming truths of Galatians 2:16,19-21, resulting in a faith-filled response of joy and wonder - the footsteps and heartbeats of testimony.
This passage was part of our morning service on Sunday 30 Oct 2022. I decided to write a song based on those verses for Renata and I to present to the congregation as an item. So in the proceeding week, adding a few other Bible verses into the mix, I composed the music and lyrics, carefully arranging for rhythm, rhyme, colour and clarity.
And this is the result. "Thank you so much Geoff! Your song lyrics make sense of really difficult concepts and language.” (Quote from an email received following the service.)
To feed on God’s Word by joyfully singing it is surely one of life’s great blessings! In 1516 Dutch theologian and Bible translator Erasmus hoped that one day “the plowman would sing a text of scripture at his plow” and “the weaver at his loom”. I joyfully offer “the plowman” and “the weaver” exactly that to sing.
The intersection of life, faith and music is heavenly. It is an honour and a privilege to be able to reach, encourage and possibly even inspire others to sing of their very own ‘This Most Incredible Christ-life’.
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Key Bible verses:
Galatians 2:16 (ESV)
yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.Galatians 2:19 (NIV)
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.Galatians 2:21 (ESV)
I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.Romans 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
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Lyrics:
There are so many stances
But the answers
Are written clearly in God's Word
Don’t think effort enhances
Your own chances
Of earning heaven, now you’ve heard
We can’t fulfil requirements
To be righteous
So Christ took our place
Thus to the law we must die
That we’d live to God in all His grace
With Christ living in me...
Decided ~ To the law I'm crucified
Delighted ~ It’s by faith we’re justified
Reminded ~ He’s already paid the price
So we can live this most incredible Christ-life
Wearing this mortal 'earth suit'
While still en route
We're vessels of His love and light
Jesus proved that He loves us
Dying for us
As all are precious in His sight
If we take this assignment
We will find it
Really quite a thrill
This heavenly alignment
Is a life in faith and is God’s will
With Christ living in me...
Excited ~ He’s the captain of my soul
United ~ He’s the one that makes me whole
Ignited ~ Even in the darkest night
So we can live this most incredible Christ-life
Godly, noble intentions
Are worthy mentions -
We’re built for good deeds
To be clear: they don’t save us
They remind us it’s Christ who’s working
With Christ living in me...
God-guided ~ As a living sacrifice
Requited ~ Letting Jesus reign inside
Invited ~ It is Christ, no longer I
So we can live this most incredible Christ-life
So we can live this most incredible Christ-life
So we can live this most incredible Christ-life
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This Most Incredible Christ-life
Music & lyrics by Geoff Rankin
Copyright © Geoff Rankin
Available to listen to & watch on TUC’s YouTube livestream dated 30 Oct 2022, 57 minutes in.