Hymns of the Church – Grace greater than our sin – 15 February 2024, Anno Domini

 

M

OREOVER the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:20-21)

 

This wonderfully comforting hymn, in both lyric and tune, is the composition of Julia Harriette Johnston (1849-1919) written in 1910. She wrote at least five hundred hymns for the Presbyterian hymnal, and this is her crowning achievement in the minds of many. Daniel Brink Towner (1850-1919) wrote the tune for the hymn
entitled, MOODY.

 

Grace greater than our sin

 

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

Yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured–

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Refrain:

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

Grace, grace, God's grace,

Grace that is greater than all our sin!

 

Sin and despair, like the sea-waves cold,

Threaten the soul with infinite loss;

Grace that is greater– yes, grace untold–

Points to the Refuge, the mighty Cross. 

Refrain

 

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

Freely bestowed on all who believe!

All who are longing to see His face,

Will you this moment His grace receive?

Refrain

 

1 Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured – There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. The grace of the Lord is truly the most marvellous of all the ways of the Lord usward. Frank Sinatra, a popular American singer, presented in 1969 his version of the song, I did it My Way. I do not know is Sinatra went to Heaven or elsewhere, but I am certain he did not go to Heaven if he truly ‘Did it his Way!’ The way of man is not the way of the Lord; however, the grace of the Lord is able to cover every sin regardless its magnitude. But those forgiven sins must be sealed in repentance and confession to God. We are condemned sinners without that grace. If our guilt stretches to the depths of the sea, His grace is greater. We not only look to Calvary for that open door to our salvation, but beyond to an open tomb. That is the borrowed tomb we may enjoy as well by the grace of God.

 

2 Sin and despair, like the sea-waves cold, Threaten the soul with infinite loss; Grace that is greater– yes, grace untold– Points to the Refuge, the mighty Cross. [Refrain] Hopelessly lost on the barren waters of the northern seas, we fight hopelessly against the billows of the flood waters barely keeping our heads above the swirling deep. No time for a long and impressive prayer – just enough time to call out, “Lord, save me!” There are times when the shortest prayer garners the greater mercy. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:29-31) That hand of mercy rules over the waves of a treacherous sea of sin to draw us up from destruction.

 

3 Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, Freely bestowed on all who believe! All who are longing to see His face, Will you this moment His grace receive? [Refrain] How shall the Holy Spirit quicken the dead soul of the sinner whom God calls forth to grace? 17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(Romans 10:17) None may boast of their goodness for without that grace of God, freely given, there is none acceptable to God. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  (Romans 3:21-24)

 

Refrain

Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’;s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin! The elect of God are vessels in the hands of the Potter. He fashions us according to His will and discretion and, once finished, He cleanses us within first and then without through His sanctifying grace. His grace is not only sufficient, it is infinite to forgive sin.