Chris Tomlin – At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

Christian superstar Chris Tomlin is a man who needs no introduction. He has been in the music business since 1993. In that period, Tomlin sold over 7 million records over 13 album releases. He won 19 Dove Awards, 1 Grammy, and 2 Billboard Music Awards.1

Sometimes it can be hard to nail down songs written or covered by Tomlin.  At The Cross (Love Ran Red) is one of his, co-written by several individuals, including Christian artist Matt Redman.

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.

1. What message does the song communicate?

Tomlin starts off this song by describing a grand, wonderful place where he is showered with endless mercy, grace, and love.  “Where can we get this?” we might ask Tomlin.  Tomlin explains that we must surrender our life to Jesus, whose shed blood washes away our sins.  Tomlin expresses his gratitude through worship.

Score: 10/10

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

All lines are in agreement with God’s inspired Word.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

There’s a place where mercy reigns and never dies
There’s a place where streams of grace flow deep and wide
Where all the love I’ve ever found
Comes like a flood
Comes flowing down

What place is that?  It is an abundant, eternal life with God (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).

The last two lines might be an allusion to Daniel 9:26.

[Chorus]

At the cross
At the cross
I surrender my life

Tomlin leaves his life of self, enslaved by righteousness rather than his sin (Romans 6:1-11, Romans 7:4-6, Galatians 2:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:11, and 1 Peter 2:24).

I’m in awe of You

References the fear of the LORD.  It is the beginning of:

1. Wisdom (Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 15:33, and Isaiah 33:6)
2. Knowledge (Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 2:5, and Isaiah 33:6)
3. Prolonged life (Psalm 34:8-14, Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 14:27, and Proverbs 19:23)
4. Salvation (Isaiah 33:6)
5. Confidence (Job 4:6 and Proverbs 14:26)
6. Blessing (Psalm 112:1 and Psalm 128:1-4)
7. Hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13)
8. Cleansing from sin/Righteousness (Exodus 20:20, Psalm 19:9, Proverbs 14:2, and Proverbs 23:17)
9. Wonder (Psalm 33:8-9)
10. Obedience (Deuteronomy 14:23 and Colossians 3:22)

I’m in awe of You

Repeats line 4.

Where Your love ran red
And my sin washed white

Jesus’ spilt red blood washed away Tomlin’s sins (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:2, and 1 Peter 1:18-19).

I owe all to You
I owe all to You Jesus

Tomlin responds to Jesus’ lovingkindness with gratitude (2 Corinthians 4:15, 2 Corinthians 9:11-12, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 3:15-17, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 1 Timothy 4:4-5, and Hebrews 12:28-29).

[Verse 2]

There’s a place where sin and shame are powerless
Where my heart has peace with God and forgiveness
Where all the love I’ve ever found
Comes like a flood
Comes flowing down

Repeats the same ideas as Verse 1 with different wording.  The last two lines repeat the last two lines of Verse 1.

[Bridge]

Here my hope is found
Here on holy ground
Here I bow down
Here arms open wide
Here You save my life
Here I bow down
Here I bow down

Tomlin responds to Jesus’ lovingkindness with worship (Matthew 14:28-33, Matthew 28:16-17, Luke 24:50-53, Revelation 5:6-10 and Revelation 19:1-6).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

This song is easy to comprehend, as if Tomlin had unbelievers in mind when he wrote it.  He chose simple words to explain how he received eternal life, subtly inviting others to experience to wonder, majesty, and love that is God.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies the wonderful love of God for us.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Chris Tomlin’s At The Cross (Love Ran Red) is a superior song.  Tomlin explains the grandeur in his newfound life with God, free of the sin-stained guilt of his old life thanks to the love of Christ, expressed through His shed blood.  Tomlin invites his audience to experience abundant, eternal life using language that even a child could comprehend.

Worship leaders should consider adding this gem to their worship service.

Final Score: 10/10

Artist Info

Track: At The Cross (Love Ran Red) (listen to the song)

Artist: Chris Tomlin

Album: Love Ran Red

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2014

Duration: 4:10

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

*Copyright © 2014 Thankyou Music (PRS) (adm. worldwide at CapitolCMGPublishing.com excluding Europe which is adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family. Songs@integritymusic.com) / Atlas Mountain Songs (BMI) worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP) Worship Together Music (BMI) sixsteps Music (ASCAP) sixsteps Songs (BMI) Said And Done Music (ASCAP) S.D.G. Publishing (BMI) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Songs (BMI) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Tunes (SESAC) Countless Wonder Publishing (SESAC) Fots Music (SESAC) McKittrick Music (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

03/23/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.