Hymns With A Message: HIS ROBES FOR MINE

Sunday, April 17, 2022

HIS ROBES FOR MINE

I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness…" Isaiah 61:10

I was recently introduced to this beautiful hymn by the congregation and choir of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas. I was impressed because, unlike some of the music being introduced in churches today, this one is sound in doctrine.

Written by Chris Anderson the founding pastor of Tri-County Bible Church in Madison, Ohio, it proclaims two important doctrines. First, justification by grace alone through faith in Christ alone and second the doctrine of double imputation, the great exchange of our sins and His perfect righteousness given to the undeserving sinner at conversion.

According to Anderson the four verses of "His Robes for Mine" focus on major themes included in the doctrine of justification.

"Verse 1 addresses the hymn's overriding theme of "The Great Exchange". Jesus Christ was made sin for us in order that we might be declared righteous in Him … Hence, the theme of the song."

"Verse 2 focuses on Christ's active obedience – the fact that He mastered God's Law in the place of sinners who could not, thus earning righteousness on our behalf … The key lesson here is that the righteousness imputed to me was Christ's earned righteousness which He acquired by perfect obedience to God's Law, not the inherent righteousness which He has eternally possessed by virtue of His deity."

"Verse 3 focuses on the grand doctrine of propitiation, the fact that God's wrath was not merely deflected from us by Christ, but was rather absorbed by Him in our place. Jesus Christ bore the infinite wrath of God against sin, satisfying God's wrath and enabling sinners to be forgiven, and justly so."

Anderson continues, "Verse 4 summarizes the hymn by describing the results of the Great Exchange – Christ forsaken and the sinner embraced by God. The role change of the sinner and Christ is amazing: the beloved Son of God forsaken in order that the enemy of God might be beloved. Though I understand this doctrine biblically, I cannot fathom it. It is astounding. It is wonderful."

"Finally we added a refrain which emphasizes our wonder at the cost of our salvation, then responds to Christ's love with worship and consecration … "I cling to Christ and marvel at the cost!""

The author concludes, "As with other projects, our greatest delight would be for the Lord to use this song to point people toward Christ. I pray that it will help you mine the infinite riches of the salvation won for us when Christ donned our filthy garments of sin and provided for us the robes of His own righteousness! What a Savior the Lord Jesus is! To Him be all glory, honor and praise!"

My one regret as I write this blog is that since many churches no longer sing hymns, the message of this classic hymn will be missed by so many in this age. Meditate on these words and truths this week.

1. His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!

Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered 'neath God's rage.
Draped in His righteousness, I'm justified.
In Christ I live, for in my place He died.

Chorus:

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:
Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.
Bought by such love, my life is not my own.
My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone.

2. His robes for mine: what cause have I for dread?

God's daunting Law Christ mastered in my stead.
Faultless I stand with righteous works not mine,
Saved by my Lord's vicarious death and life.

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.
Bought by such love, my life is not my own.
My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone

3. His robes for mine: God's justice is appeased.

Jesus is crushed, and thus the Father's pleased.
Christ drank God's wrath on sin, then cried, "'Tis done!"
Sin's wage is paid; propitiation won.

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.
Bought by such love, my life is not my own.
My praise - my all - shall be for Christ alone

4. His robes for mine: such anguish none can know.

Christ, God's beloved, condemned as though His foe.
He, as though I, accursed and left alone;
I, as though He, embraced and welcomed home!

I cling to Christ, and marvel at the cost:

Jesus forsaken, God estranged from God.