One Resolution for 2017
On New Year's Eve of 2011, Dustin Kensrue sat on a plane and wrote the lyrics to All Glory Be to Christ — a rewrite of the popular New Year's Eve song Auld Lang Syne [1]. The song was recorded and released a year later in 2012 by Kings Kaleidoscope, and since then has gone mainstream. Just two years after release, the lyrics would be so popular as to show up on the The Gospel Coalition, and just last year, Sovereign Grace Music released a version of the song on their T4G Live III album, featuring thousands of voices yearning for all glory to be to Christ. In a few shorts years, Reformed Christianity has embraced the song wholeheartedly.
All Glory Be to Christ indeed has humble beginnings. But its fame is anything but, for its lyrics and themes are majestic and grand, fitting for the King to which it sings. "All glory be to Christ our King!" it proclaims. "All glory be to Christ! Of His rule and reign, we will ever sing. All glory be to Christ!"
This yearning for Christ to be glorified, for His Name to be honored in all the Earth, for the Lamb to receive the reward of His sufferings, is the very heartbeat of Christianity. We want the Lord Jesus Christ to be worshipped for who He is and what He has done. And we want Him to receive all the glory — from every tribe, tongue, people, nation, and time. We love His sovereignty and His rule; we declare that He is worthy. With the heavenly host we cry, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev 5:12).
Christians say, "To live is Christ, to die is gain. Give me Christ or give me death. With Him I have all things; without Him, I have nothing. He gave His life for me; I gladly give my life for Him" [2]. As the song says, without Him, all things are worthless. Our efforts, our legacy, our houses, our striving, our gain, our life, are but a mist vanished at dawn.
So Christian, what are you living for? Or rather, whom do you live for? If you say Christ, I daresay, "Prove it!" Prove it by your songs, by your lips, by your credit card, by your calendar, by your prayers, by your thoughts, by your conversations, by your gifts, by your work, by your love. This year, this day declare Him worthy by your life. If you sing, "All glory be to Christ," then give Him the glory! Give up your pursuits of vainglory and bow the knee to Him. Make your profession good; let your feet follow your song.
So, this New Year, my friend, make your resolutions and plans in light of Christ. Sure, resolve to exercise more and lose a few pounds. Sure, plan that Europe/Machu Picchu/snowboarding/Taiwan trip. Sure, learn a coding language to be more marketable. Yes, resolve to read the Bible and pray more. Yes, resolve to be more patient and generous and kind. But in all your resolving, do not forget the resolve of all resolves:
All glory be to Christ. In all things, in every way, at all times, all glory be to Him alone.
[1] http://marshill.se/marshill/2012/12/19/all-glory-be-to-christ
[2] Php 1:21; Ro 11:36; 1 Cor 3:21; Gal 2:20