CityAlight – Yet not I but through Christ in Me

CityAlight has its roots centered around their church, which is structured similarly to Hillsong, Bethel, and Citipointe.  CityAlight hails from St Paul’s Castle Hill, which is located in Sydney, Australia.  Fifteen parishioners, who were also songwriters, wrote fifty songs in 2014, all of which contained a focus on Scripturally sound lyrics with simple music as its backdrop. Only ten passed the rigorous test of pastors, musicians, and lyricists who reviewed their songs.

These ten songs were recorded live that same year, released as their title album Yours Alone.  They also released a second album in 2016, Only a Holy God, and EP Yet Not I in 2018.  Their EP’s title song, Yet not I but through Christ in Me, has been requested for review.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.  I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.

1. What message does the song communicate?

This song unpacks a truckload of information about God and Christians using a firehose.  I attempted to separate them in bullet points.

Statements about God

• Gives grace
• Gives us His son, His greatest gift
• Redeemer
• Source of:
  • joy
  • righteousness
  • freedom
  • love
  • internal peace
• Jesus is mankind’s only hope for the forgiveness of sins
• Paid the penalty for mankind
• Holy Spirit lives in mankind
• Does not forsake Christ-followers
• Power displayed in mankind’s weaknesses
• Defender
• Leader
• Overcomes death via resurrection
• Sustains Christ-followers
• Recipient of eternal praise
• All glory given to Jesus implicitly glorifies the Father

Statements about Christ-followers

• Fix their eyes on Jesus
• Lives in us
• Recipients of forgiveness
• Hope is only in Jesus
• Strong when weak
• Free from past sinful lifestyle
• Recipient of God’s continual spiritual renewal
• Will eternally praise God

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

There is a flood of Bible verses expressed throughout these lyrics, none of which there is disagreement.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

What gift of grace is Jesus, my redeemer

That is, the gift of undeserved favor (Genesis 15:6, Exodus 33:19, Psalm 32:1-2, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 4:3-8, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 5:15-21, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 9:14-16, Romans 11:5-6, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:6, Galatians 5:4, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Titus 2:11, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, and James 2:23).

There is no more for heaven now to give

The promised Son was prophecied in Isaiah 9:6 and fulfilled through Jesus in Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25. He is the greatest gift the Father could offer us, demonstrating how much He loves us (John 3:16 and Romans 5:6-8).

He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace

God is the source of:

• Joy (1 Thessalonians 1:6 and Hebrews 12:2)
• Righteousness (Exodus 9:27, Deuteronomy 32:4, Judges 5:11, 1 Samuel 12:7, 2 Samuel 23:3-4, Ezra 9:15, Nehemiah 9:8, Job 37:23, Psalm 7:11, Psalm 9:8, Psalm 11:7, Psalm 36:6, Psalm 35:24, Psalm 40:10, Psalm 48:10, Psalm 50:6, Psalm 65:5, Psalm 89:14, Psalm 96:13, Psalm 97:2, Psalm 97:6, Psalm 99:4, Psalm 103:6, Psalm 119:137, Psalm 71:19, Psalm 111:2-3, Psalm 119:7, Psalm 119:142, Psalm 129:4, Psalm 145:17, Isaiah 5:16, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 45:21, Isaiah 46:13, Isaiah 51:8, Jeremiah 9:24, Jeremiah 11:20, Jeremiah 12:1, Lamentations 1:18, Daniel 9:14-16, Micah 6:5, Zephaniah 3:5, Zechariah 8:8, John 17:25, 2 Timothy 4:8, and Revelation 15:3)
• Freedom (Psalm 119:45, Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 61:1, John 3:16-21, John 8:31-36, John 10:10, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 6:1-23, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 8:20-21, 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 7:21-23, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 3:13, Galatians 3:22, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13, Colossians 1:21-23, Hebrews 2:14-15, and 1 Peter 2:16)
• Love (Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 17:7, Psalm 36:5-7, Psalm 63:3, Psalm 69:16, Psalm 117:2, Isaiah 54:8, John 3:16, John 13:34, John 15:13, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 8:37-39, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 5:25, Titus 3:4, 1 John 4:8, and 1 John 4:16-19)
• Internal peace (John 14:27, John 16:29-33, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:14-15, and Colossians 3:15).

[Chorus 1]

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus

It is only in Jesus through whom we may be saved (Acts 4:10-12) and by which we may access the Father (John 14:6).

For my life is wholly bound to His

Our entire life is centered on Christ (Hebrews 12:2).

Oh, how strange and divine, I can sing: All is mine!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

We no longer live, but Christ who lives within us (Galatians 2:20).  This occurs through the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14).

[Verse 2]

The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay

God’s light conquers darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79, John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, 1 Peter 2:9.  He does not leave nor forsake those who are His (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 118:6 and Hebrews 13:5-6).

I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

In the same way as Paul, who manifested the power of God in weakness, so His strength is made perfect in our inadequacies (2 Corinthians 12:9).

[Chorus 2]

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley, He will lead

Jesus, who is the good shepherd (John 10:11-18), is our defense (Ruth 2:12, 2 Samuel 22:3-4, Psalm 3:3, Psalm 5:11, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 34:22, Psalm 41:2, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 57:1, Psalm 59:1, Psalm 61:3, Psalm 91:1-16, Psalm 118:8, Psalm 121:7-8, Psalm 138:7, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 30:5, Nahum 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, and 1 John 5:18) and leads us through trials and tribulations, comforting us (Psalm 23:4).

Oh, the night has been won, and I shall overcome

For the first part, see Verse 1, line 1.  Line 4 connects with the second part, which shows God overcoming and not us.

Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Repeats Chorus, line 4.

[Verse 3]

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave

Christ paid the penalty for our lawbreaking to which we may attain forgiveness for sins (Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 1:29, John 3:16, John 19:30, Acts 4:12, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:6-10, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 1:3-4, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:6, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9).  He rose from the dead (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20, Acts 1:3, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8), conqering death (Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:35-36, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, 2 Timothy 1:10, and Hebrews 2:14) and giving us hope of eternal life (Mark 10:29-30, John 3:15-16, John 3:36, John 4:14, John 5:24, John 5:39-40, John 6:27, John 6:40, John 10:28, John 17:3, John 20:31, Romans 5:21, Romans 6:22-23, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, Galatians 6:8, 1 Timothy 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 2:11 , Hebrews 5:9, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 John 2:23-27, 1 John 5:10-13, 1 John 5:20, Jude 1:20-21, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 7:16-17, and Revelation 21:3-4).  Knowing this, what can man do to me (Psalm 27:1, Psalm 118:6, Isaiah 51:12, and Hebrews 13:6)?

[Chorus 3]

To this I hold, my sin has been defeated

That is, nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14).  See Verse 3.

Jesus now and ever is my plea

See Chorus 1, line 2.

Oh, the chains are released, I can sing: I am free!

That is, the yoke of slavery to sin has been severed (Psalm 116:16, Mark 5:8, Romans 6:20, and Galatians 5:1).

Yet not I, but through Christ in me

Repeats Chorus 1, line 4.

[Verse 4]

With every breath, I long to follow Jesus

See Chorus 1, line 2.

For He has said that He will bring me home

Our destination is a new heaven and earth, where God will reign (Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33, Revelation 6:14, Revelation 20:11, and Revelation 21:1).

And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

God changes our desires and sustains us until physical death (1 Samuel 10:9, Psalm 51:10, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:26, and 2 Corinthians 5:17).

[Chorus 4]

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus

Repeats Chorus, line 1.

All the glory evermore to Him

According to John 13:31-32, John 14:13, John 17:1-4, Philippians 1:9-11, and Philippians 2:9-11, glory also belongs to the Father.  However, according to John 17:1, both the Father and Son glorify each other.  When we consider their one-ness (John 10:30, John 14:9, and John 17:21-23), all glory given to Jesus also belongs to the Father.

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:

That is, when we die, we will continue to praise God (Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 30:12, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 86:12, Psalm 89:1, Psalm 115:18, Psalm 145:1-2, Psalm 145:21, and Revelation 5:9-13).

Yet not I, but through Christ in me!

Repeats Chorus 1, line 4.

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!

Repeats lines 1-4.

[Outro]

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me!

Repeats Chorus 4, lines 3 and 4.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Those who do not yet follow Jesus should find its interpretation easy to comprehend. If they don’t understand some of its terminologies, that is OK. There is enough redundancy surrounding the basic message of Christ crucified for their sins, along with our response to it, that it won’t take away from their overall experience.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It overwhelms us with the glory, power, and majesty of God through Jesus.  These include His power perfected in weakness, the Holy Spirit inside us, and His resurrection from the dead.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

The title of CityAlight’s Yet not I but through Christ in Me summarizes this powerful gem.  Its message floods us with statements that show the greatness, uniqueness, and attributes of God that all will perceive.  It shows the dependence of Christians on God for strength, sustenance, and salvation, bringing Him glory.  CityAlight’s daunting review processed paid off!

Shout this one at your rooftops, offices, and congregations.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: Yet not I but through Christ in Me (listen to the song)

Artist: CityAlight

EP: Yet Not I

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 5:31

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2018 CityAlight Music (APRA) Farren Love And War Pub (SESAC) Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (SESAC) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

12/14/2022 – Updated Intro to clarify that CityAlight is structured similarly to Hillsong, Bethel, and CityPointe.  Thanks to Asinega Asinegad for finding it!

06/18/2022 –  Changed Introduction from “Castle Church” to “Castle Hill”.

05/24/2022 – Per conversation with Andy Treece, I decided that Tim Keller is incorrect.  Based on the one-ness of Christ, all glory given to Jesus also belongs to the Father.  Therefore, I reversed my previous decision, restoring this review to its original 10/10 rating.

01/12/2022 – Updated commentary to critique CityAlight’s statement that all glory belongs to Jesus.  Thanks to Tim Keller for finding this!  I updated my review from 10/10 to 9/10.

06/11/2021 – Per Artist Theology announcement, I expanded the red text to encourage others to study CityAlight’s theology.

03/15/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement, removing my commentary on the topic.