Travis Cottrell - In Christ Alone Lyrics
Released: 24 Jun 2008
Lyrics
In Christ alone
My hope is found
He is my life, my strength, my song
This cornerstone , this solid rock
Firm through the fierces, drought and storm
What heights of Love, what depths of Peace,
When fears are stilled, when Strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe
This gift of Love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save,
Till on that cross as jesus died
The wrath of god was satisfied;
For every sin on him was laid
Here in the depth of Christ I live
There in the ground , His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as he stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This the pow'r of Christ in me,
From life's first cry, to final braeth.
Jesus commands my destiny
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from his hand
Till he returns or call me home
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand .....
Video
In Christ Alone - Travis Cottrel
Meaning & Inspiration
Travis Cottrell's rendition of "In Christ Alone," featured on the 2011 compilation *Songs 4 Worship Ultimate (The Greatest Praise & Worship Songs of All Time)*, stands as a powerful testament to the enduring strength and sufficiency found solely in Jesus Christ. This isn't merely a song; it's a theological declaration, a vibrant articulation of the core tenets of Christian faith, echoing the sentiment found in passages like Philippians 4:13, where Paul declares, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The song immediately grounds itself in this foundational truth, asserting that hope is discovered not in worldly circumstances or personal achievements, but "In Christ alone." This singular focus resonates with the biblical emphasis on Christ as the "cornerstone" and "solid rock," a concept beautifully illustrated in 1 Peter 2:4-6, which speaks of Jesus as a living stone, chosen and precious. The lyrics poetically describe how this divine foundation remains steadfast "firm through the fiercest drought and storm," mirroring God's unfailing faithfulness even amidst life's trials, as highlighted in Isaiah 43:2: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." The profound peace and unwavering love described, where "fears are stilled" and "strivings cease," speak to the transformative power of Christ's presence, reminiscent of Jesus' promise in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
The second verse delves into the astonishing humility of Christ's incarnation, acknowledging the "fulness of God in helpless babe" and the paradox of His divine nature encased in human flesh. This "gift of Love and righteousness," though "scorned by the ones He came to save," ultimately finds its ultimate expression on the cross. Cottrell powerfully captures the atoning sacrifice, stating that "Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied; for every sin on Him was laid." This directly reflects Romans 3:25, which states God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. The lyrical affirmation, "Here in the depth of Christ I live," is a profound statement of redemption, pointing to the life that flows from Christ's sacrifice, as Paul writes in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
The resurrection of Jesus forms the triumphant heart of the song. The imagery of His body lying in the ground, "light of the world by darkness slain," powerfully sets the stage for the glorious victory: "Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again!" This is the central pillar of Christian belief, the undeniable proof of Christ's power over sin and death, as declared in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." The consequence of this victory is personal freedom: "Sin's curse has lost its grip on me." This liberation is a direct result of Christ's redemptive work, a truth articulated in Romans 8:1-2: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set me free from the law of sin and death." The declaration, "For I am His and He is mine," signifies the profound covenantal relationship believers have with Christ, bought not with earthly currency but "with the precious blood of Christ," a reference to 1 Peter 1:18-19.
The final verses encapsulate the secure future and unwavering protection offered to believers. The absence of "guilt in life, no fear in death" is not born of self-assurance but from the "power of Christ in me," a power that transcends life's beginning to its very end. This pervasive presence of Christ guides one's destiny, echoing Jesus' own declaration in John 10:28-29: "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." The song concludes with an unshakeable confidence, asserting that "No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand." This is a robust affirmation of God's sovereign protection, a comfort found in the knowledge that our ultimate security rests in Christ's immutable grip until His return or our heavenly calling, as promised in verses like Jude 1:24: "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy." Travis Cottrell’s rendition of "In Christ Alone" is not just a beautiful melody; it's a robust, biblically sound proclamation of the all-sufficient power and unfailing love of Jesus Christ.