Part 7: To the Cross I Cling

I must admit that this recent edition of Behind the Song took a little while to write (7 months in the making). I think it only fair to explain part of the reason. Over the past 9 months my wife (Trishia) and I have encountered some very difficult times as we have seen the loss of 4 loved ones (Trishia’s Grandmother in May, Her Father in July, Her Grandfather in October, and my (Aaron’s) 1st cousin last week) in a relatively short time period. Through this difficult time and challenging season of life the Cross of Christ has been a constant encouragement and source of peace. With all of this in mind I come to this edition’s selection – To the Cross I Cling. This wonderfully rich, Gospel-Centered song came to my attention a few weeks ago as I was looking for new songs to include in our worship time at RHC. I came across some songs written by Michael Bleecker (Worship Pastor at The Village Church) and was surprised and impressed by the depth of lyrics in some of the songs he had written. (Note: If you listen to contemporary Christian music you will find a host of songs being written today that are somewhat lacking in lyrical depth and doctrinal accuracy). As I scrolled through the song list my eyes fell on To the Cross I Cling, and I selected the sample recording to listen to. WOW! was my response as I heard this simple yet theologically deep song. This song is a Gospel soaked anthem taken from Galatians 6:14 which states “Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” What a great reminder for us that we are a new creation. Yet we still struggle with the old man (the flesh) that is in conflict with the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). While it is true that we have freedom in Christ we still fight daily against the desires of the world and our flesh. This song is a wonderful testament that our only choice is to look to the Cross of Christ, who is our sufficient sacrifice who ransomed us through his blood, who brought us life while we were dead in our transgressions, and reconciled us to God. What a HOPE we have in the Finished Work of Christ!

I hope you learn to love and enjoy this song as much as I have.

Verse 1

No day of my life has passed that has not

Proved me guilty in your sight

The best I have to offer are these filthy rags

And yet you love me

PreChorus

All things in me call for my rejection

All things in You plead my acceptance

Chorus

I am guilty but pardoned by grace I’ve been set free

I am ransomed through the blood you shed for me

I was dead in my transgressions, but life you brought to me

I am reconciled through m e r c y,
to the cross I cling

Verse 2

No more am I a slave to sin but
Bought with a price

Redemption that was purchased through the blessed cross

That You bore for me

Bridge

The cross is where I find death,

is where I find life, where mercy found me

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