And Can It Be that I Should Gain

[damienlittre]

This song is an expression of the orthodox Arminianism of the Wesleys. Some Arminians depart from historical, orthodox Arminianism and become semi- or full-blown Pelagians, but neither Arminius himself nor the Wesley brothers taught anything of the sort. Arminianism does not teach that humanity is not under Adam's curse or that we can save ourselves by our own efforts, our own wisdom, etc. The quickening ray that Wesley talks about is God's prevenient grace without which no-one could be saved.

[boltonwandererskings]

dooh. you missed out the last verse which is (theologically) the most important

[511rosy]

i would like to know what is calvanistic about this song.

[MrAlfonze17]

a very amazing song .. :D

[Shockwave474]

Okay, I just gotta say this thought that keeps occurring to me—supposing salvation is achieved through Jesus, but you have friends who don't follow Jesus. That has got to hurt! I don't know how you people could possibly deal with that kind of pain.

[brandenburg2388]

@Shockwave474 indeed salvation and reconciliation between God and man are made possible only through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Christians have been actively preaching the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ for the past 2,000 years.

[HappyOddGirl]

@Shockwave474 Yes, Christians do have great pain about that.

Personally, I have become what is known as a 'wider hope' person. Don't get me wrong - I still believe absolutely that everyone who gets to heaven gets there because of what Jesus did for us!! But my understanding now is that everyone will be judged by the light they received.

Romans 2:12-16 seems to indicate that people who don't know about God's plan of salvation will be judged by what they did with what they DID know...

[HappyOddGirl]

@Shockwave474 ...And I'm absolutely convinced that there's a lot more to it than just 'hearing the Gospel'. I am sorry to say that there are a lot of peeps out there who claim to 'preach the Gospel' but live a life full of arrogance and hate - quite contrary to the Gospel.

If a person rejects what is presented by those people, that is not the same as rejecting the Gospel. They have never really had a chance to ACCEPT the Gospel, because they have never really seen it presented...

[HappyOddGirl]

@Shockwave474 ...So I believe there is good reason to hope that a lot more people will be in heaven than it generally supposed. :) I mean, it's not like God is looking for ways to keep people OUT - He is looking for excuses to LET PEOPLE IN!! :)

But it's still all because of what Jesus did for us on the Cross. Without the staggering grace of God in that, none of us would have a hope. I'm just saying that I believe that grace is BIGGER than I used to think. :)

Hope this helps you, mate. :)

[marsh5963]

The words of this hymn are powerful. It's sad to see the decline of hymns such as this one being sung in many churches.

[NB3K]

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

THIS OUGHT TO BE THE CHRISTIAN CREED THESE ARE THE WORD'S OF CHARLES WESLEY!!! LOOK AT HIS CALVINISM, BUT I THOUGHT HE WAS A ARMINIAN??

[usernameofnobody]

@NB3K That's not Calvinistic.

[snakeman678]

Charles Wesley was quite the Hymn writer. I love this hymn.

[TheCabey]

this song wpould always remind me of my grany's funeral.i miss her so much.she died of cancer but i thank god that death could have only destroyed her earthly body......she is safe at last in the arms of Jesus and i know some day i will see her again.love you ma..you r missed greatly............

[mjperkins77]

Great video and hymn! Posting it on my blog.



[XBLiNKkkkk]

My faith is very weak, but i don't look at my faith nor my feelings but on the solid truth that Jesus Christ took all my gross sins away and that his blood is of infinite worth. Pray for me that Christ and His divine unconditional love will become more of a reality to me.

[Truth693]

@XBLiNKkkkk I will.. I pray that too that your health may prosper as your soul does..

[Undergottensnotten]

@XBLiNKkkkk

Like in the parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee. The tax collector didn't dare look up to Heaven, just beat his breast and cried "God be merciful to me, a sinner." That's the most honest prayer anyone can make.

God bless you.

[sylviaimora]

GREAT SONG!!!!!THNKS 4 posting

[MustardSeedish]

I love this. The forth stanza is my testimony as I'm sure for so many.

[MegaBuffon1]

Is it a church song??

[pinkstarlite09]

@MegaBuffon1 yes

[withlovedenyse]

i love this version.

[landsell]

I always love this video. However, I would have liked to see some of the singers at some point during it.

[valhazeful]

Amen Amen

[Brightstar27]

Is this by John Wesley?

[LifeIsSoAwesome]

It's by his brother, Charles Wesley!

[ANGELSVEN]

it's by his brother, charles wesley.

[stringbendershell]

Thanksyou Jesus!

[laughinglozza12345]

I love this hymn.

I help pick the songs for our weekly church services and i'm always trying to get this hymn in :)

[shawubble]

My favourite hymn ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

[AMAzing130519]

I LOVE this hymn, just incapsulates so perfectly the sacrifice of our wonderful Lord.. who are we? Who are WE? That the Lord, should come down from his throne and die for us, as sinful as we are and His salvation is always there for us to receive! What an amazing God!!

Thanks for posting!! God bless you :)

[Chizzy941]

Charles Wesly is a geniu -an awesome hymn and sung at it utmost awesomeness!

[Insperato62]

A truly wonderful hymn. To the "right" tune and at the right pace. It's a happy hymn and I think you lose some of that "joy" if it's sung slower and more "stately".

[markch9v23]

'Tis mercy all, immense and free,

for O my God, it found out me! ! !

[smca17021967]

Sometimes things don't change but the perspective can.

May God comfort the reader as the comfort of God embraces us in various ways and at various times. I had a challenge opening up the hall today, then the chains fell off the padlock. My friend mentioned her dying mother had uttered those words 'my chains fell off' - what a reminder of God's grace in Christ for all and how the Holy Spirit speaks comfort through surprising incidents.

[jackub78]

@smca17021967 thanks for those words, my dear grandpa passed away a few days ago and i believe that he is now with our saviour Jesus the king of kings... and i know that the holy spirit has comforted grandma and my family, thank you Jesus.

[lulu9979]

Amen!

[terryeugenewright]

Amazing. My chains fell off my heart was free. I rose went forth and followed thee. Sounds a bit reformed now does'nt it? Thank you for the posting. It lifts my faith every time I hear it. God bless you.

[bencole92]

i love this hymn. whenever we sing it, it makes me smile =]

[dorartgrace]

a methodist anthem - long may in continue to be in the hymn book

[natkretep]

@dorartgrace: It is now in Anglican hymn books. Before his death, Charles Wesley said to the rector of St Marylebone parish church: 'Sir, whatever the world may say of me, I have lived, and I die, a member of the Church of England. I pray you to bury me in your churchyard.'

[vazined]

i love this hymn too :) i've been looking for this everywhere ty reelworship :D

[JMMCL16]

Love this old hymn.