If Ye Then With Christ Be Risen – Hymn Lyric
“If Ye Then With Christ Be Risen: Seeking the Things Above” is a beautiful hymn that encourages us to live in line with our faith in Christ. It reminds us to focus on the spiritual realm, put off sinful attitudes, and walk in perfect love with Him. By staying connected to Christ, we can bear spiritual fruit and experience the freedom and joy that comes from being in the Spirit.
Table of Contents
If Ye Then With Christ Be Risen
If ye then with Christ be risen,
Seek those things which are above;
Putting off all wrath and malice,
Walk with Him in perfect love.
Lay aside all strife and envy,
Hatred, foolishness, and pride;
None who cling to aught that’s sinful
In His kingdom shall abide.
Refrain:
I am the Vine, I am the Vine,
Ye are the fruitful branches.
If we’re in the Spirit living,
Let us also walk therein,
Free from guilt and condemnation-
From the servitude of sin-
Bearing holy fruits of meekness,
Temperance and love and peace,
Faith and gentleness possessing,
Daily shall our joy increase.
[Refrain]
Can there issue from one fountain
Both the bitter and the sweet?
Do we gather figs of thistles,
Sow the tares, expecting wheat?
So a good tree yields by nature
Perfect fruit, and that alone;
Trees corrupt are bearing evil-
By their fruits they shall be known.
[Refrain]
Once of sin we were the servants,
Held beneath its tyrant sway,
Free from righteousness-unholy-
But we’ve found a better way.
By the word of God obeying,
We are free from sinful strife;
Fruits of holiness we’re yielding,
And the end eternal life. [Refrain]
We are dwelling in the Spirit,
By our Father’s blest design;
Through His grace we’re made partakers
Of His nature, pure, divine.
By His faith alone I’m living,
For with Christ to sin I died;
I will bear abundant fruitage,
That His name be glorified.
[Refrain]
Meaning of If Ye Then With Christ Be Risen – Hymn Lyric
If Ye Then With Christ Be Risen: Seeking the Things Above
In this beautiful hymn, we are reminded of the importance of living a life that is in line with our faith in Christ. The verse begins by encouraging us to seek those things which are above, reminding us to focus our attention on the spiritual realm rather than being caught up in worldly concerns. By putting off all wrath and malice, and instead walking in perfect love with Christ, we are called to lay aside any strife, envy, hatred, foolishness, or pride that may hinder our relationship with Him.
The refrain of the hymn emphasizes the metaphor of Christ as the Vine and us as the branches. Just as branches cannot bear fruit unless they are connected to the vine, we too cannot bear spiritual fruit unless we are connected to Christ. By living in the Spirit, we are implored to walk in accordance with His teachings and to be free from guilt and condemnation. This freedom is a result of being liberated from the servitude of sin, allowing us to bear holy fruits such as meekness, temperance, love, peace, faith, and gentleness. As we cultivate these qualities in our lives, our joy will continue to grow.
The hymn continues by posing a thought-provoking question: can a fountain produce both bitter and sweet water? Can we expect to gather figs from thistles or sow tares and expect wheat? The answer, of course, is no. Just as a good tree naturally produces perfect fruit, so too should our lives bear the fruit of righteousness if we are truly connected to Christ. Our character and actions should align with His teachings, and by our fruits, we shall be known.
The verse goes on to remind us of our past condition as servants to sin. Before finding a better way through our faith in Christ, we were held under sin’s control, living unholy lives. But now, through obedience to the word of God, we have been set free from the bondage of sin. We have been transformed and are now yielding fruits of holiness, leading to eternal life. This transformation is not of our own doing but is a result of the grace and power of God working in us.
As believers, we are not left to navigate this journey alone. The hymn reminds us that we are dwelling in the Spirit, according to our Father’s blessed design. Through His grace, we have become partakers of His nature, which is pure and divine. Our faith in Christ has brought about a spiritual rebirth, and as a result, we are no longer living for ourselves but for Him who died for us. We have died to our old way of life, and now we live by His faith alone.
In conclusion, “If Ye Then With Christ Be Risen” serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of our faith in Christ. It challenges us to prioritize the things above and to put off any sinful attitudes or behaviors that may hinder our relationship with Him. By abiding in Him, we are able to bear fruit that is pleasing to God and brings glory to His name. Let us strive to walk in the Spirit, free from the bondage of sin, and embrace the abundant life that comes from being connected to the true Vine, Christ Himself.
I hope this hymn inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
