GRACE! 'TIS A CHARMING SOUND

Dearly Beloved, GRACE! 'TIS A CHARMING SOUND “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast…. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Ephesians 2:8-9; 4:7 NKJV). One of the hymns I cherished when I was growing up in the village was the hymn GRACE! 'TIS A CHARMING SOUND. I could sing almost all of its lyrics in Yoruba offhand. It is indeed a charming song for me to date. Philip Doddridge (1702-1751) and Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778) composed verses of this hymn, though some historians attributed the hymn to only Doddridge. The hymn has been set to several melodies but that of Ira D. Sankey is likely the most popular one. The importance of the saving grace of God is emphasized in the hymn. Grace is a charming sound because it is by grace that we have been saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace is harmonious to our ears because God has given grace to each of His children (Ephesians 4:7). All the earth needs to hear this grace because the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared for all man (Titus 2:11). Grace is indeed vital to people’s salvation because it was God’s grace that first forced a way to save rebellious man through the coming of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:21). This grace displayed all the steps that enable people to have remission of sins (Acts 2:36-38). It is grace that drew the amazing plan for people’s redemption that God purposed in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:10-11). Grace is the medium of provision for spiritual needs (Philippians 4:19). This grace makes possible an eternal home in heaven. The grace of God has written the names of as many that have been redeemed by the blood of Christ in the book of life (Revelation 21:11-15). The grace of God also makes it possible for people to approach God and keep them in His favour. The last stanza of the hymn is a prayer that the grace may inspire “my soul with strength divine” so that one may aspire to be with God in all one’s days. As the refrain reflects, we are saved by grace alone! This is made possible by the death of Jesus Christ for mankind. Have you been saved by this charming grace? Only those that have been saved and justified by God’s grace upon their obedience to the gospel can certainly say with conviction, “Grace! ‘Tis A Charming Sound”! Invite Jesus Christ into your life (if you have not done so), and you will enjoy the charming grace He brings. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will not miss the charming grace of Jesus Christ both here on earth and in heaven.