Which attribute of God is it that saves us? All of them, in fact. All of God’s attributes and character are involved in salvation. For example, we are saved by his goodness and loving kindness, as it says in Titus 3:4-5. In Romans 3:21-26, we are saved by his justice, because he is “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
This song by John Mark McMillan celebrates that we are also saved by the beauty of the Lord. In what sense is it God’s beauty that saves us? I would contend that it is in the sense that salvation is an act of revelation, where our sin-blind eyes are at last opened so that we are able to see the King’s beauty (Ps 27:4, Is 33:17). And no one who sees that beauty will be able or willing to resist it. This song also draws on the fact that it is this experience of the beauty of the Lord that keeps on saving us, as we remember it on our dark days, and as we look forward to seeing his beauty for all eternity.
I want to live, I want to exist
In the sight of your fire and splendor
And on dark days my heart will rememberThat I’ve seen Your holy colors
Felt the cracking of Your thunders
If I’ve been born again into a house of many wonders
I’ve been saved by the beauty of the Lord
I’ve been saved by the beauty of the Lord
We only need to raise 9k ($750 per month) to be fully funded for our second year back on the field. If you have been helped or encouraged by the content on this blog, would you consider supporting this writing and our family while we serve in Central Asia? You can do so here through the blog or contact me to find out how to give through our organization.
Three English-language international churches in our region are in need of faithful pastors. Our kids’ TCK school is also in need of a math and a science teacher for middle school and high school. If you have a good lead, shoot me a note here.
For my list of recommended books and travel gear, click here.
Entrusted to the Dirt 