ONCE FOR ALL or FREE FROM THE FALL

Back in the days when D.L Moody and Ira D. Sankey came to Scotland for an evangelistic campaign, the Presbyterians had long insisted that only the psalms should be sung in church and these without accompaniment. Once a woman had even stormed out of the service protesting that 'The devil was in his kist (chest) o' whistles," that is Sankey's little pedal organ. You can imagine the fear Sankey had when he got up to sing his gospel solos.  His concern was heightened one night when he observed that the great Scottish preacher and hymn-writer Horatius Bonar was in the audience. This is how Sankey recounted the story in his book. "My Life And The Story of the Gospel Hymns:"  "Of all men in Scotland he was the one concerning whose decision I was most solicitous. He was, indeed, my ideal hymn writer, the prince among hymnists of his day and generation. And yet he would not sing one of his beautiful hymns in his own congregation ... because he ministered to a church that believed in the use of the Psalms only.  With fear and trembling I announced as a solo the song, 'Free From The Law, Oh, Happy Condition.' ... Feeling that the singing might prove only an entertainment and not a spiritual blessing, I requested the whole congregation to join me in a word of prayer, asking God to bless the truth about to be sung. In the prayer my anxiety was relieved. Believing and rejoicing in the glorious truth contained in the song, I sang it through to the end. At the close of Mr. Moody's address, Dr. Bonar turned to me with a smile on his venerable face, and reaching out his hand he said: 'Well, Mr. Sankey, you sang the gospel tonight.'  And thus the way was opened for the mission of sacred song in Scotland."  This hymn, written by Philip Bliss, is a wonderful statement of faith and contains the basis of our Christian theology, from the fall of man to a final redemption in heaven.  The words were penned by Bliss under unusual circumstances. It is said that his wife, as a birthday present, gave him a bound copy of "Things New and Old", edited by "C. H. M." From an article in this book on the believer's deliverance by the death of Christ from the curse of the law, and his own death with Christ setting him free entirely from the law's dominion, he saw the blessed truth of the Christian position in relation with God; and to give expression to the joy of his heart at this deliverance, he sat down and wrote the hymn.  It is an old hymn that is seldom sung anymore.  But it is rich in theology and should remind us this week of what Jesus has provided for us through His death on Calvary.  Meditate on this truth this week and rejoice that you as a believer have been redeemed.  And there is nothing more than you can or must do to gain this standing.  Christ has done it all for us.

(1)   Free from the law, O happy condition,

Jesus has bled and there is remission,

Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,

Grace hath redeemed us once for all.

Once for all, O sinner, receive it,

Once for all, O brother, believe it;

Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,

Christ hath redeemed us once for all.

(2)   There on the cross your burden upbearing,

Thorns on His brow your Savior is wearing;

Never again your sin need appall,

You have been pardoned once for all.

Once for all, O sinner, receive it,

Once for all, O brother, believe it;

Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,

Christ hath redeemed us once for all.

(3)   Now we are free, there's no condemnation,

Jesus provides a perfect salvation.

"Come unto Me," O hear His sweet call,

Come, and He saves us once for all.

Once for all, O sinner, receive it,

Once for all, O brother, believe it;

Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,

Christ hath redeemed us once for all.

(4)    "Children of God," O glorious calling,

Surely His grace will keep us from falling;

Passing from death to life at His call;

Blessèd salvation once for all.

Once for all, O sinner, receive it,

Once for all, O brother, believe it;

Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,

Christ hath redeemed us once for all.

It was very difficult finding a video for this old hymn.  But I did locate one and while it isn't too great musically, it does provide you with an opportunity to hear it being sung.    LISTEN