The modern hymn “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” declares salvation comes through faith alone. Written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, it inspires with reminders that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” Over 14 stanzas, it covers redemption, sanctification and glory – all through Christ alone. No matter trials or wins, boasting is excluded – glory goes to Jesus alone. Its simple structure and repetition of Christ’s name make it a favorite congregational hymn worldwide. its profoundly biblical message of grace through faith alone deserves close study. This analyzes its powerful lyrics highlighting total reliance on Christ from start to finish.
Lyrics
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace
Summery
This opening verse from the hymn expresses gratitude for Jesus Christ as the believer’s gracious redeemer and gift from God. It describes how through Jesus, one finds the greatest gifts – deepest joy, imputed righteousness, freedom from sin and condemnation, and a steadfast love and boundless peace that nothing else can provide. All spiritual blessings are found in Christ.
Lyrics
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing, “All is mine”
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Summery
This chorus powerfully declares that the believer’s sole hope rests in Jesus Christ alone. Their life is completely bound to Him as their redeemer and Lord. Apart from Christ, they can do nothing. But through trusting in Him, believing that all spiritual blessings flow from being united to Him, they can walk in His strength and proclaim His praise.
Singing “All is mine” seems strange and divine, for in reality it is only through abiding in Christ that any good thing comes. The believer’s sufficiency is not found within themselves, but only through Christ who indwells them by faith. As Paul wrote, “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 2:20). All that the believer has, including salvation, righteousness, peace and hope, comes as a free gift possessed through union with Jesus Christ.
Lyrics
The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed
Summery
This verse acknowledges that even when darkness surrounds and trials ensue, the believer is not abandoned by God. Though the night is dark, Jesus promised to always be with His own. He remains by their side as their Savior to strengthen and guide them.
While they labor on in human weakness, struggling in their own power but finding their strength insufficient, true rejoicing can be known. Despite inward weakness, God’s power is made perfect and displays itself for all to see. When facing difficulty and limitations, relying on the ever-present Savior allows His strength to be made evident as they trust in Him. No matter the night or struggle, Christ stays near to uphold and display His power through those who believe.ShareTell me more.How can I rely on God’s power when I feel weak and overwhelmed?
click on this link to get more information “How Long is Red Dead Redemption 2?“
Lyrics
To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley He will lead
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Summery
This section continues expressing full assurance and security in Jesus as the Good Shepherd who faithfully defends and guides His flock. Even through “the deepest valley” of suffering or peril, believers can be certain their Shepherd will lead them and keep them from all harm under His protection.
The night of trial and darkness will ultimately be overcome and victory achieved, but it is not by any power or ability within oneself. True triumph comes solely “through Christ” dwelling within by faith. As Romans 8:37 states, in all things we “overcome by the one who loved us,” our Lord and Shepherd who lays down His own life to guard and guide His beloved sheep. In Him, believers have all they need to face any challenge and emerge more than conquerors.
Lyrics
No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave
Summery
This verse expresses freedom from fear of judgment and confidence regarding the future. Because of complete forgiveness secured through Christ’s sacrifice, there is no condemnation that can be brought against believers.
The price for pardon has been paid in full by Jesus shedding His blood and suffering in the believer’s place. He bore the punishment for sin, thereby satisfying God’s just wrath. By dying for sins but then conquering death through His resurrection, Jesus defeated the power of sin and the grave.
For those united to the crucified and risen Savior by faith, the future is secure. Death is but a vanquished foe that Christ trampled down through His victory. Pardon and immortality are gifts bequeathed to all who trust in the One who gave His life to overthrow the grave for their sake. In Christ, there is no fate left to dread.
Lyrics
To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus now and ever is my plea
Oh the chains are released, I can sing, “I am free”
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Summery
This section powerfully declares that through faith in Christ, the dominating power of sin has been broken for the believer. Jesus has secured a complete defeat over sin – both its penalty of death and its dominion of enslavement.
Therefore, the believer’s sole plea and petition is found in Jesus alone. He is their all-sufficient salvation and constant source of deliverance. The chains of sin that once bound them have been released.
Freedom from sin’s rule is a gift given to all who belong to Christ. While sin still indwells believers, through Christ its dominion has been dethroned. By His indwelling presence, they can now sing in truth, “I am free,” as freedom was gained only through Jesus and His victory over sin imputed to them. All is owed to Him who sets the captive free.
Lyrics
With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne
Summery
This section expresses the heartfelt longing of believers to continually follow after Jesus in obedient faith. Their desire is motivated by His promise to bring all His own safely into His eternal presence.
Each new day is a gift of God’s renewing grace at work, transforming believers more into Christ’s likeness from one degree of glory to another. Though the process of sanctification takes time, the end is sure – standing before the very throne of God in perfect holiness and unhindered joy.
All who have put their trust in Jesus can face each moment, trial and uncertainty with hope. His renewing work within and promise to one day bring them into His glorious kingdom serves to sustain their faith and strengthen their resolve to walk in His ways until that final day of complete redemption has fully come.
Lyrics
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Summery
This powerful closing section reinforces that the believer’s enduring hope is found in Jesus Christ alone. All honor, praise and glory rightfully belong to Him for the great salvation He has secured.
Though the Christian life involves a race of faith against trials and temptation, the outcome is guaranteed – full and final victory through perseverance made possible only in Christ. When the race is complete, even with the limits of mortality removed, believers will repeat this declaration throughout eternity.
All that the redeemed can ever claim or boast in is what Christ has done for them, not any inherent ability or merit of their own. Salvation from start to finish, even the ability to endure to the end, is the gracious work of God through Christ dwelling within by the Spirit. To Him be endless glory for winning the victory over sin and death for lost sinners.
Lyrics
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Summery
This powerful conclusion reinforces the central messages of hope, praise, and dependency on Christ alone that echo throughout the hymn. A believer’s enduring hope is found only in Jesus. All glory belongs to him. Though faith involves struggle, Christ enables endurance to win the race. When life ends, believers will repeat how salvation comes through Christ alone. It is not by any goodness or power within, but only through Christ dwelling inside by faith. Salvation belongs to him from start to finish and for all time. Believers are grateful it is Christ’s work, not their own. To God be endless glory and praise for the incomprehensible gift of redemption secured by the Savior.
Lyrics
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
Ye not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Ye not I, but through Christ in me
Summery
This emphatic conclusion leaves the listener with a resounding message – even when the course of life and faith is finished. believers will repeat without end their confession that salvation is wholly attributable to Christ alone. Until the ultimate victory is won in glory, and forever thereafter, the truth will be proclaimed that it is “not I, but through Christ in me” that any good is achieved. hope attained, or righteousness obtained. All is by sheer grace through faith, with the recipients of mercy able to add nothing of intrinsic worth. Eternity will be spent extolling Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who alone saves. keeps and causes ultimate triumph for those who abide in him. To the praise of his glory. he receives all honor as the sole source of the believer’s standing, strength and song.
FAQs
What is the central message of the concluding lyrics?
The central message is that salvation, from start to finish, is wholly due to Christ alone. Believers can contribute nothing of intrinsic worth. but rather all good, hope, righteousness and ultimate victory are Christ’s work through faith.
Why will believers repeat this confession forever?
To repeat this confession for eternity underscores just how profoundly salvation depends on Christ alone rather than any human ability or merit. Giving him unceasing praise ensures he receives all honor as the singular source of redemption.
What does it mean that salvation is attained “through Christ in me”?
It refers to Christ dwelling in believers by spirit through union with him by faith. This indwelling presence of Christ is what enables believers to stand righteous before God and to overcome through persevering in faith until the end.
How does this summarize the overall message of the hymn?
It powerfully reinforces the theme struck throughout – that believers’ only hope, strength. song flow from sheer grace received through faith in Christ indwelling them by spirit. All glory belongs to him alone for the finished work of salvation.
What promise is given for those who abide in Christ?
For those who abide in Christ in faith, the promise is of ultimate and final victory over sin and the grave. When the race of faith is complete, they will attain glory and stand righteous before God for eternity through no merit of their own, but only by Christ’s work.
Conclusion
In summarizing this profoundly inspiring hymn. it is clear that the resounding message of “Through Christ Alone” is the believer’s utter dependence on Jesus for salvation. From start to finish, in life and eternity, all that can be claimed is centered on Christ. in his saving work accomplished on the cross, his indwelling presence by the Spirit, and the ultimate victory he alone secured and applies.
While the Christian walk involves ongoing struggle and weakness. true hope, peace, righteousness and freedom from sin’s power are only found “in Christ.” Apart from constant reliance on him by faith, there can be no standing before God, ability to endure trials, or final glorification. All grace flows from the One who is at once Redeemer, Lord, Shepherd and coming King.
