Salvation belongs to the Lord!

Todd Stiles   -  

Salvation is solely and wholly a work of God.

That 9-word, labor-freeing, heart-melting, praise-producing, soul-satisfying refrain occupied my attention in a heightened manner during 2010 as I preached through Romans and documented the salvation stories of several FFCers. It eventually turned into the somewhat free-verse poem “Salvation Belongs to the Lord,” which I wrote and titled after Psalm 3:8.

The poem’s repetition also served as a sort of meditation for me, allowing me to verbally “chew” on the same phrase and concept over and over. (Transparently, my heart has set it to music at times, but never to the same tune; that’s a sign it should probably remain a meditative poem, right?)

Still, no matter if I sang it or said it, I found increased gratitude, deepened praise, and intensified commitment. It’s my prayer this theological tribute to God’s complete ownership of salvation will do the same for you today.

Pastor Todd

“Salvation Belongs to the Lord: A Poetic Meditation from Psalm 3”

It’s not because how hard I try,
but only because you choose to die and free me from my sin.
Through you I’m born again.

It’s not because of what I’ve earned,
but only because you choose to turn and breathe your life in me.
Through you I’m finally free.

Only through you, Jesus! Only to you Jesus! Salvation belongs to the Lord!
Only through you, Jesus! Only to you Jesus! Salvation belongs to the Lord!

It’s not because of who I am,
but only because the Great I AM rescued me from death
and set my sights on heav’n.

Condemned forever by the fall,
Yet Jesus’ blood has paid it all and ransomed me from hell.
In Christ my soul is well!

Only through you, Jesus! Only to you Jesus! Salvation belongs to the Lord!
Only through you, Jesus! Only to you Jesus! Salvation belongs to the Lord!

We raise our hallelujahs, we lift our praises to you!
We only boast in the power of your name.
We raise our hallelujahs, we lift our praises to you!
We solely cling to Calvary unashamed.

Only through you, Jesus! Only to you Jesus! Salvation belongs to the Lord!
Only through you, Jesus! Only to you Jesus! Salvation belongs to the Lord!