Hymn Spotlight: And Can It Be, That I Should Gain

Let's take a look at the classic hymn: And Can It Be, That I Should Gain.

Overview

This hymn is a classic meditation on the gospel, preaching to the soul. The first line suggests that the gospel is too good to be true but then takes you into the depths of the gospel's power and richness that come to us through the amazing love of God in Christ Jesus.

This hymn is full of grace and truth that rings so clear to the heart of the redeemed. It touches on so many glorious doctrines like the incarnation, substitutionary atonement, and the love of God (and that’s just the first verse!). Take time to learn this hymn, and you will be filling your heart with the word of Christ.

About the Author: Charles Wesley

"Charles Wesley was the great hymn-writer of the Wesley family, perhaps, taking quantity and quality into consideration, the great hymn-writer of all ages. As a hymn-writer Charles Wesley was unique. He is said to have written no less than 6500 hymns, and though, of course, in so vast a number some are of unequal merit, it is perfectly marvelous how many there are which rise to the highest degree of excellence." (sited from hymnary.org). It would be simply impossible within our space to enumerate even those of the hymns which have become really classical.

Other hymns: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus; Hark, the Herald Angels Sing; Christ the Lord Has Risen Today; Arise, My Soul Arise

Verse 1: The Shock & Awe of the Gospel

Verse one, which contains the title of the hymn, sets the theme by asking a rhetorical question, "how is it that I, a sinner deserving death, am allowed to gain from the death of the holy and righteous Son of God?". The answer comes towards the end of the verse, "amazing love!". The amazing love of God to sinners is so wonderful that it seems too good to be true. This is the greatness of the gospel.

And can it be that I should gain

an int'rest 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, shouldest die for me!

Verse 2: The Reach of the Gospel

The second verse shows how far this great gospel reaches to save sinners. Jesus leaves heaven and comes to sinful mankind (Adam's helpless race). But the verse also mentions the cost of grace: for sinners it is free, but for Jesus, it cost him his life, his sacrificial death on the cross that satisfies the wrath of God.

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,

O praise my God, it found out me.

Amazing love! how can it be

that Thou, my God, shouldest die for me!

Verse 3: The Power of the Gospel

Verse three defines the helpless state where grace finds us: blind, bound, and wicked. But the power of the gospel gives sight by the light of Christ and frees us not just from the guilt of our sin against God but also the power of sin over us. With our new sight and freedom, we go forth and follow Christ all our days.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

fast bound in sin and nature's night.

Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray;

I woke- the dungeon flamed with light!

My chains fell off, my heart was free;

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Amazing love! how can it be

that Thou, my God, shouldest die for me!

Verse 4: The Richness of the Gospel

Verse four illustrates the rich blessings and privileges of being a recipient of the amazing, saving love of God in Christ. The weight of our guilt is eternally gone, we have new life in Christ, and we have direct access to the throne of God in heaven!

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 the eternal throne,

and claim the crown through Christ my own!

Amazing love! how can it be

that Thou, my God, shouldest die for me!

Conclusion

This hymn is the eternal theme of the Christian. May it remain in your hearts, on your lips, and sound forth in your homes. Be stunned that the God of the universe knows you, loves you, and saves you through Jesus Christ! Amazing love, how can it be?!