My Bible Base

To coincide with the posting of Herbert B. McGonigle’s series on about Holiness starting with John Wesley’s Vision of Authentic Christianity, here are a few videos (and the words/lyrics) of Charles Wesley’s timeless hymn “And Can It Be That I Should Gain (Amazing Love)”.

1. 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?
   Amazing love! How can it be
   that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2. ‘Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies!
   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.
   ‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
   let angel minds inquire no more.
3. 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!
   ‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
   for O my God, it found out me!
4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
   fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
   thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
   I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
   my chains fell off, my heart was free,
   I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
   My chains fell off, my heart was free,
   I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
5. 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.
   Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
   and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Some of this is probably just anecdotal, but this short clip reminds us not to give up. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.

Most (AKA The Bridge) is the story of a single father who takes his eight year-old son to work with him at the railroad drawbridge where he is the bridge tender. Just as an oncoming train approaches, his son falls into the drawbridge gear works, leaving the father with a horrific choice. While the film is produced from a completely secular viewpoint, parallels are drawn with the sacrifice a young boy and his father make, to that of God and Jesus.

The full film is about 30 minutes long, below is a 6 minute short version. Christianity Today magazine called the full length move “life changing.”