One of the most famous of six thousand hymns by Charles Wesley starts with a question: “And can it be that I should gain an interest in my Saviour’s Blood?”
According to the Oxford Edition of the Works of John Wesley, Charles Wesley wrote this hymn in May 1738, immediately following his conversion to Christianity. Charles had been raised to know the Bible well, but he had not found faith and new birth until he was thirty.
His personal wonder at coming to faith was that so great a salvation was given to an ordinary man who did not deserve so wonderful a blessing.
The song basically asks with amazement, “Is it possible?”
Wesley’s hymn continues asking questions, which I paraphrase for those who might struggle with the older use of language.
Did Jesus really die for me, the one who caused His pain?
For me, who pushed Him to the point of death?
Amazing love! how can it be that You, my God, should die for me?
Obviously Charles Wesley had caught a revelation of the wonder of our salvation, that God would pay our price, dying for us who are totally unworthy. Charles also realised that God’s overwhelming love is the source of such willingness.
For us who commit ourselves to Christ there are many other times when we could ask ‘Is it possible?’ Our journey in God’s blessing prompts a number of amazing provisions for which we are unworthy.
Is it possible that someone like you could be used by God to do the work of God on earth? Yes it is possible, because God calls you to serve Him, with His authority and power.
“I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” John 15:16
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Is it possible that the problems which have messed your life for years could be completely done away with? Could you be delivered and become new?
Jesus “became human, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” Hebrews 2:14,15
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2Corinthians 5:17
Is it possible that those who deserve to be rejected are welcomed and made part of the family of God, cherished and given full rights in God’s presence?
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has joined us into one and broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” Ephesians 2:13,14
“God puts the solitary (those out on their own) into families.” Psalm 68:6
Is it possible that despite our weakness and failure we could become effective and valuable? Is it possible there is hope for the hopeless?
“God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.” 2Corinthians 12:9
“When I am weak, then I am strong.” 2Corinthians 12:10
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
“He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.” Isaiah 40:29
How is any of this possible?
It is possible because God loves you with a compassion beyond your understanding. God’s plans for you are amazing, and God has paid the price so you, weak and unworthy as you are, can be blessed with all the glories of heaven.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love” Jeremiah 31:3
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39
May the wonder of God’s love impress you as profoundly as it impressed Charles Wesley nearly three centuries ago and may you, with delight and wonder, be amazed as you ask, “Is it Possible?”
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