Grace Abounding

History is not just Christ-centered; it is cross-centered. When Paul preaches the Gospel, he preaches “Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23).

Even at story’s end, when the saints dwell forever in God’s presence, purged of their sin, the Son of God is known primarily not as the Word, the King of Kings, or Jesus Christ. He is known chiefly as the Lamb who was slain at the cross for his people. In John’s Revelation, Christ appears as “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain” (5:6). Twenty-nine times he speaks of Christ as the “Lamb” dining at the Marriage Supper, receiving worship from countless throngs, claiming the title deed to the earth, and vanquishing the Adversary.

To be sure, in glory there will be no tears. Yet our precious Christ will be known as the Lamb who has been slain. His wounds forever remind us of the immeasurable cost of our redemption.

“A Debtor to Mercy Alone” is a hymn we love to sing in our church’s gatherings for this very reason. The third verse of Augustus Toplady’s great hymn, with updated words by Bob Kauflin, could not express this truth better:

“My name from the palms of His hands eternity will not erase;
Impressed on His heart it remains, in marks of indelible grace.
Yes I, to the end will endure until I bow down at Your throne
Forever and always secure; forever and always secure
Forever and always secure; a debtor to mercy alone.”