Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
The group sings “The Bible stands…By inspiration, it has been given—all its precepts I will obey,” and the last verse says, “By grace alone, I expect to live it and to prove it and make it mine.” What definition of grace is operating there (grace as power to obey vs. grace as mere pardon), and how does that collide with common evangelical instincts about assurance and “trying to obey”?
Another way to ask: In this song, is grace mainly God’s power to help you obey, or just God forgiving you? How does that fit—or clash—with how many evangelicals think about assurance and effort?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
In that hymn’s wording, grace is not described as mere pardon only; it is grace that enables a person to “live it,” “prove it,” and “make it mine,” alongside a commitment to obey Scripture’s precepts. The transcript doesn’t compare this to evangelical instincts directly, but it does place obedience and grace together rather than treating obedience as optional or opposed to grace.
- The hymn line is explicit: “By inspiration, it has been given—all its precepts I will obey.”
- The last verse ties grace to lived obedience: “By grace alone, I expect to live it and to prove it and make it mine.”
- The speaker highlights that verse as especially meaningful: “I especially like the last verse…May that be each of our prayers this evening.”
- The larger program repeatedly links Scripture to life: children recite and sing Scripture, not just as facts but as formative words.
- The speaker’s earlier challenge matches this: “Are you singing a song that is bringing glory to God? Is your life bringing glory to God?”
- Even the mercy section still calls for turning: “return unto the Lord…He will have mercy…abundantly pardon,” implying forgiveness leads somewhere.