ALL SUFFICIENT MERIT[1]
When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.[2]
This modern hymn highlights the contrast between human insufficiency and Christ’s perfect righteousness, emphasizing that his merit alone secures our standing before God. It reflects on the futility of striving for salvation through personal effort and celebrates instead the finished work of Jesus. [The hymn invites] worshipers to rest in Christ’s righteousness, rejoicing in the unearned inheritance of his salvation.[3]
All sufficient merit, shining like the sun
A fortune I inherit by no work I have done.
My righteousness I forfeit, at my Savior’s cross,
Where all sufficient merit did what I could not.
This office [of Mediator between God and mankind] the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake; which that he might discharge, he was made under the law and did perfectly fulfill it; endured most grievous torments immediately in his soul, and most painful sufferings in his body; was crucified, and died, was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption. On the third day he arose from the dead, with the same body in which he suffered, with which also he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father, making intercession, and shall return, to judge men and angels, at the end of the world.[4]
In love, he condescended, eternal now in time;
A life without a blemish, the Maker made to die.
The law could never save us, our lawlessness had won;
Until the pure and spotless Lamb had finally come.
The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience, and sacrifice of himself, which he, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of his; and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto him.[5]
I lay down my garments, any empty boast,
Good works now all corrupted by the sinful host;
I’m dressed in my Lord Jesus, a crimson robe made white.
No more fear of judgment, his righteousness is mine.
Jesus was the only one who ever fully kept the terms of the covenant. Everyone else earned God’s curse. In His death, Christ took upon Himself the curse deserved by the covenant-breakers. Furthermore, by His life of complete obedience, Jesus achieved the blessing that was promised to those who keep the terms of the covenant.[6]
All sufficient merit, firm in life and death;
The joy of my salvation shall be my final breath.
And when I stand accepted before the throne of God,
I’ll gaze upon my Jesus and thank him for the cross.
It is done, it is finished, no more debt I owe;
Pain in full, all sufficient merit now my own.
All Sufficient Merit
You have shown us, Lord, the salvation that makes a plant of peace spring up. We will no longer wander in error. You have made known to us, Lord, that you have not overlooked us. You have not forgotten your creation, the work of your hands.
For out of your compassion for our lowliness, you have poured out on us your abundant, inexhaustible goodness. You have redeemed us through your only begotten Son, who is forever and always one with you. You judged it unworthy of your majesty to entrust to anyone else the work of saving and lifting up your servants.
With that light, which is the same substance as you, you have given light to those who sat in darkness, in the shadow of death, so that “in your light we see light” (Psalm 36:9). Through our Lord and creator, you have seen fit to remake us unto eternal life, and you have graciously allowed us to return to paradise by means of him who had separated us from the joys of paradise.
Through him who has the power to forgive sins, you have blotted out the handwriting that was against us. Amen.[7]
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] Words and Music: Bethany Barnard, Shane Barnard, Bryan Fowler. The Sing! Hymnal, 2025, #838. Tune: ALL SUFFICIENT MERIT
[2] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Tt 3:4–5.
[3] The Sing! Hymnal, 2025, p. 954.
[4] The Westminster Confession of Faith 8.4. Truths We Confess, Reformation Trust, 2019, p. 190.
[5] The Westminster Confession of Faith 8.5. Truths We Confess, Reformation Trust, 2019, p. 190.
[6] R. C. Sproul, Truths We Confess, Reformation Trust, 2019, pp. 217-218.
[7] A Prayer of Methodius of Olympia. Robert Elmer, ed., Fount of Heaven: Prayers of the Early Church (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2022), 101.
