Paul Baloche - All I Have Is Christ Lyrics
Lyrics
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still
But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace
Hallelujah, all I have is Christ
Hallelujah, Jesus is my life
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose
And let my soul forever be my only boast is you
Hallelujah, all I have is Christ
Hallelujah, Jesus is my life
Hallelujah, all I have is Christ
Hallelujah, Jesus is my life
Hallelujah, all I have is Christ
Hallelujah, Jesus is my life
Hallelujah, all I have is Christ
Hallelujah, Jesus is my life
Hallelujah, all I have is Christ
Video
All I Have Is Christ (feat. Paul Baloche) - Official Lyric Video
Meaning & Inspiration
Paul Baloche’s "All I Have Is Christ," released on February 10, 2023, as part of "The Paul Baloche Collection," emerges as a profoundly moving and doctrinally rich worship anthem. This song serves as a powerful testament to the transformative journey of faith, articulating with stark honesty the human condition before grace and the glorious reality of salvation through Christ alone. It begins with a relatable confession of past spiritual blindness, "I once was lost in darkest night, yet thought I knew the way," echoing the universal truth found in Proverbs 14:12, where "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." The lyrics further unpack the deceptive nature of sin, which "promised joy and life" but "had led me to the grave," a chilling reminder of Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death."
The narrative deepens as the song delves into the protagonist’s former rebellious heart, acknowledging, "I had no hope that You would own a rebel to Your will." This portrays the sinner’s perceived unworthiness and the inherent human resistance to divine authority, powerfully countered by the pivotal line, "And if You had not loved me first, I would refuse You still." This statement beautifully encapsulates the concept of prevenient grace, aligning with 1 John 4:19, which declares, "We love because he first loved us," emphasizing that humanity’s turning to God is always initiated by His divine love. The song then vividly depicts this divine intervention, where "as I ran my hell-bound race, indifferent to the cost, You looked upon my helpless state and led me to the cross." This imagery evokes the compassionate gaze of God upon a lost and self-destructive soul, a powerful reflection of passages like Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit," and the parables of searching for the lost sheep in Luke 15.
The climax of the song arrives with the revelation of Christ’s atoning sacrifice: "And I beheld God’s love displayed, You suffered in my place. You bore the wrath reserved for me, now all I know is grace." These lines are a profound articulation of propitiation and substitutionary atonement, deeply rooted in Isaiah 53:5, "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." The transition from wrath to grace marks the very heart of the Gospel, aligning with Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." The chorus, a resounding "Hallelujah, all I have is Christ! Hallelujah, Jesus is my life!", serves as a triumphant declaration of identity and purpose, echoing Philippians 1:21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain," and Colossians 3:4, "When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
The song concludes with a commitment to living a life consecrated to God, acknowledging complete dependence on Him: "Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone, and live so all might see the strength to follow Your commands could never come from me." This embodies the truth of John 15:5, "Apart from me you can do nothing," and Philippians 2:13, "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." The ultimate aspiration is one of surrender and glorification: "Oh Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose, and let my soul forever be, my only boast is You." This echoes Romans 12:1, calling believers to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice," and Galatians 6:14, where Paul declares, "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." "All I Have Is Christ" transcends a simple worship song; it is a meticulously crafted theological statement, a personal testimony, and a congregational cry of allegiance, reminding all who engage with it that true life, hope, and strength are found solely in Jesus Christ. Its enduring power lies not just in its musicality, which facilitates worship, but in its uncompromising focus on the core tenets of Christian faith, serving as a beacon of encouragement and a reminder of divine grace.