Soli Deo Gloria: For the Glory of God Alone

The Messenger, February 18, 2010
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me  
 
By DEON BARNES
Special to The Messenger
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee;
“Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed,
“Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure.
This well-known hymn, cherished by Christians throughout the ages, was the work of Augustus Toplady.  He was born in Farnham, Surrey, a portion of England, in 1740. Awakened to the gospel in 1756, Toplady became engulfed with proclaiming the good news of Christ’s atonement. Although he died at the early age of 38 due to illness and little of his material is available in print today, the material that does exist is heart-felt, disciplined, and full of vigor. One thing is certain:  Augustus Toplady was a superb protector and defender of the doctrines of grace.
“Could my tears forever flow, Could my zeal no languor know,
“These for sin could not atone, Thou must save, and Thou alone;
“In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.
How many Christians have sung these words to God, only to have their thoughts and actions portray a different message? Augustus Toplady was keenly aware of the dangers associated with Arminianism. To say that a person can do good works, earn favor with God, and merit passage into heaven is nothing short of crass idolatry.  
Toplady writes, “Nevertheless, let me tell you, that trust, confidence, reliance, and dependence, for salvation, are all acts and very solemn ones too, of divine worship: and upon whatsoever you depend, whether in whole or in part, for your acceptance with God, and for your justification in His sight, whatsoever, you rely upon, and trust in, for the attainment of grace or glory; if it be anything short of God in Christ, you are an idolater to all intents and purposes.”  
“While I draw this final breath, When my eyes shall close in death,
“When I rise to worlds unknown, And behold Thee on Thy throne,
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.
In company with other Reformed teachers throughout history, Toplady fervently disputed the view of earning favor with God, and instead stood with Scripture, which states salvation comes exclusively through God’s grace (Rom. 1: 6-7, 1 Cor. 1: 9).  Toplady also combated the view that a person could fall from grace, or lose their salvation.  
He writes, “God does not give, and then take away.  He does indeed frequently resume what he only lent, such as health, riches, friends, and other temporal comforts: but what he gives, he gives forever.  In a way of grace, the gifts and calling of God are without repentance: he will never repent of bestowing them; and every attribute he has forbids him to revoke them.  The blessings of his favor are that good part which shall not be taken from those who have it (John 10: 27-30).”
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me.  Let me hide myself in Thee.”
Editor’s note: Deon Barnes attends Grace Community Church in Union City (www.graceunioncity.com) and is a future candidate for the ministry in the Presbyterian Church in America.

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