Red Songbook Theology SB 133 There is a green hill far away Atonement-Major Jim McGee IF you travel to Ireland, home of poets, writes, mystics, and mad men. You will see a two story red brick home that has a historical marker sign attached to the building. It reads: Cecil Frances Alexander, Hymn Writer, 1818-1895. She was a member of the Church of Ireland and she was note writer of Children’s hymns. This particular hymn she was inspired by the account of Christ’s Trials held by Pontius Pilate. The hymn is a striking example of what our sixth doctrine in The Salvation Army, “We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by His suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved” Atonement is a word that is not commonly used anymore, but it is of the highest priority to us as Christians. It is important matter due to the fact that it allows us to distinguish Christianity and false Christianity and other religions. The question is not what day of the week you meet or how often do certain things in your services. The question is a very stark yes or no if you believe this statement. Do you believe that man needed and could only be reconciled to God by Christ’s death on the cross? Atonement is a Middle English word that has in its context meaning, at-one-ment. In the language context into harmony differing things, in this case, man is in disharmony with god. He is off key, off pitch and can’t keep a beat. By Christ’s suffering and death on the throne he comes into harmony with grand orchestra that is God’s creation. If atonement brings us into harmony with God, does it bring us into harmony with those around us? “How can we live in harmony? First we need to know we are all madly in love with the same God.”-Thomas Aquinas 1. There is a green hill far away, Without a city wall, Where the dear Lord was crucified Who died to save us all. 2. We may not know, we cannot tell What pains he had to bear; But we believe it was for us He hung and suffered there. 3. He died that we might be forgiven, He died to make us good, That we might go at last to Heaven, Saved by his precious blood. 4. There was no other good enough To pay the price of sin; He only could unlock the gate Of Heaven, and let us in. 5. O dearly, dearly, has he loved And we must love him too, And trust in his redeeming blood, And try his works to do. Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-95)
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 12:54:40 +0000
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