It was on the 21st of May 1738 that Charles Wesley had his second "conversion" experience. We remember that at this stage he was already an Ordained Priest, but clearly something was missing in his faith. On Pentecost Sunday of that year (21st May) he encountered God in a way that changed his life.
We know that Charles went on to write over 6500 hymns and somehow managed to condense the complexities of theology into wonderful songs. These songs were used to bring about a revival in England and have continued to speak to believers for nearly 300 years.
One of my favourite hymns is "And Can it Be", which marvels at the grace of God. Here are the lyrics again:
- "And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
- He left His Father’s throne above—
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Thought: Sometimes the truth of God's mercy seems unbelievable, yet we are all invited to receive His wonderful Grace.
Living in Grace
D3LM3
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