Lyrics
Verse 1
I believe in God the Father
Jesus Christ, His only Son
And the blessed Holy Spirit
Distinct, yet three in one
Verse 2
I believe there is forgiveness
For everything we've done
That is why all the more
I will serve Him
Verse 3
I believe the Son of God
Was crucified upon the tree
And laid within a borrowed tomb
Not far from calvary
I believe He rose up from the dead
Alive for all to see
That is why all the more
I will serve Him
Chorus
I have made my decision / We have made our decision
I have STAKED my claim / We have STAKED our claim
I have drawn a line in the sand / We have drawn a line in the sand
And I'll not be ashamed / And we won't be ashamed
With the world behind me / With the world behind me us
And the cross before
By the grace of God
I will serve the Lord / We will serve the Lord
Verse 4
I believe you must be born again
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Serve the Lord is a declaration of belief and commitment. The verses state belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ His only Son and the Holy Spirit, three in one, and in forgiveness for everything done, concluding that all the more the singer will serve Him. A later verse recounts the crucifixion on the tree, the borrowed tomb and the resurrection of Jesus, alive for all to see.
The chorus is the central decision: drawing a line in the sand, staking a claim, not being ashamed, putting the world behind and the cross before, and serving the Lord by the grace of God. The structure follows the pattern of the Apostles' Creed, with Matthew 28:19 on the Trinity, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 on the gospel, Joshua 24:15 on choosing to serve the Lord, and Romans 1:16 on not being ashamed. The alternate singular and plural lines allow a group or soloist to declare the same commitment.
Related Scripture
- Joshua 24:15 Joshua calls the people to choose whom they will serve.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Christ died for sins, was buried and rose on the third day.
- Romans 1:16 Paul says he is not ashamed of the gospel.