And Can it Be?

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 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 imprison 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, wen 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 apporach th' eternal throne.
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Today, I'm listening to "And Can It Be?" by Charles Wesley. The story goes that Wesley wrote this immediately after his conversion. This, according to John Lawson, is the best known/loved Methodist hymn of conversion. Looking through the stanzas, one can trace Wesley's amazement. First in Christ's sacrifice for the believer, second in the mystery of such love, third the magnitude of God's love, fourth our own bondage in sin, and finally fifth, the merciful work of the Savior.

This is a great hymn that shows just how staggering conversion can be. It truly is a great love that saves sinners such as us. Sometimes conversion happens because that love hits us all at once. Other times, and possibly more often, its gradual, with belief just sort of creeping into the heart. Either way, the love we receive is truly amazing.