I'm in love with so many of the great hymn of the Christian faith. 
I particularly love the hymns that draw me into the reality of the cross and the truth of the atonement. 

This hymn is drawn from the scripture "And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:23-25 ESV)

It is influenced by some writings of CH Spurgeon and John Wesley's "Covenant Service". It's a song reflecting on the cost that Christ bore for our freedom. However, it doesn't stop there: it goes on to discuss the matter of "how then shall we live?"

The thread running through the entire hymn is that we cannot gaze upon the cross, worship Christ and leave unchanged.

Below are the lyrics, a streaming audio, the hymn to download and the guitar chords. 

May this hymn cause you to look with new eyes upon the God-man who died for all mankind to atone for our sins. 

In times of repentance, I find my words run dry...they just don't cut it. 
This is when I look to hymns, such as "Arise, my soul, arise".
These lyrics speak hope into the guilty soul, reminding us that our right-standing with God is grounded purely in Christ's atonement and imputed righteousness. We are declared righteous, because Christ is righteous and He is our righteousness. 
May you find comfort in these lyrics. 


The words are by Charles Wesley. 
The music is my own. 

Arise, soul arise

(Words by Charles Wesley, Music by Dan Wallis)
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for Adam’s race,
His blood atoned for Adam’s race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Forgive him, O forgive,' they cry,
'Nor let that ransomed sinner die!'

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One; 
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And 'Father, Abba, Father,' cry. 

The story behind this song. 
Thelma Fiebig, one of the seniors who make up our Church (a lovely lady) wrote a poem. It was placed in the bulletin during the Easter season - either this year or last year. Actually, I'm not sure when - all I know is that it was floating around in my office for AGES. 
One day it turned up - this lone piece of paper and, as I read it, I thought "This poem would make a great hymn". And not only is it a great hymn, but it fills a hole within hymnody. There are many songs / hymns about the suffering of Christ on the cross. However, there are not many hymns that describe, or explain, that the physical suffering of Christ on the cross was probably the least of His worries. The spiritual reality of being separated from the Father (from the Trinity?) was the cup that Christ wanted passed from Him, that caused Him to sweat drops of blood.
This song describes that terrible and wonderful reality in such an eloquent and beautiful manner. 
May it cause us to praise God anew for His incredible sacrifice. 

The Ultimate Sacrifice
(Words by Thelma Fiebig, Music by Dan Wallis)

Verse 1
Not the thorns that pierced his head
Not the skin torn from his back
Not the blood lust of the crowd
Nor the guards’ verbal attack

Not the struggle up the road
As he bore the cross of shame
Not the sound of rebels’ cheer
As to Calvary they came

Chorus 1
These were the acts of cruelty
Inflicted by sinful man
Pain much deeper than human flesh
Was part of the Master’s plan

Verse 2
The pain of broken heart
While hanging on that tree
“Why, o why my Father
Have you forsaken me?”

Because He bore our guilt
He paid our penalty
The sin God could not look upon
Was borne for you and me
Chorus 2
Beyond the acts of cruelty
Inflicted by sinful man
Pain much deeper than human flesh
Was part of the Master’s plan

Verse 3
Then came the resurrection
When victory was won
Now Jesus sits at God’s right hand
As His beloved Son

Chorus 3
We thank you Christ for what you bore
For love of sinful man
We see the marks of wounded love
In the nail prints in your hands

© Thelma Fiebig + Dan Wallis 2010