‘Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to His cross I cling.’ Hymn – Rock of Ages, 1776, Augustus Toplady.
Nothing, what nothing? How hard this can be? Nothing, absolutely nothing. So often we want to bring something. Surely we can give something to God, what about our lovely singing voice. But we only have that because it was given to us by Him. (Not a gift he has given me!) What about the words I write and have printed? (That is something I have been gifted) No, I can only bring it to God because He has given it to me in the first place.
What about our good works? No, they are only our reasonable service. Christianity is not like some religions where a person hopes to balance their good works against the bad. Our righteousness is only like filthy rags. Nothing in my hand I bring. We are entirely dependant on the loving mercy of God. We have done nothing to deserve it. Christ did it all for us on the cross.
In the final day when we stand before the throne of God, it will be no good telling Him we’ve been a pillar of the community and placing our good works before Him. We will only be able to utter, Jesus died for MY sins. Without His sacrifice we can have nothing, do nothing, be nothing.