Photo by Sharon Waldron
Contemporary Christian duo Shane & Shane started in 2001. They released a staggering 40 albums (including solo and Christmas), 5 live albums, and 3 EP’s.
Also, check out my reviews of You’ve already won, Song in the Night, Yearn, Though You Slay Me, and Psalm 23 (Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy).
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Shane-and-shane-all-sufficient-merit-live-lyrics.
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?
Jesus came from heaven to earth as the sacrificial Lamb of God whose death all sufficiently merits Shane & Shane’s redemption. For this, he is given the title “all sufficient merit” by Shane & Shane. Shane & Shane exchange their “righteousness” (that is, their good deeds stained by sin and lawlessness) for Christ’s, receiving eternal life. He is a beacon of light and hope that illuminates shadows. Shane & Shane look forward to entering the throne of God post-death, where they will meet Jesus face to face.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
This song oozes with Scriptural goodness.
[Verse 1]
Line 1: The phrase “all sufficient merit” is a title coined by Shane & Shane referencing Jesus because it is through His merit that they have salvation (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 9:15-26, 1 Peter 1:17-21, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 2:1-2, and Revelation 5:9). He “shines like the sun” because He is light (John 1:1-8, John 8:12, and Ephesians 5:14).
Line 2: The “fortune” described here is eternal life, attained by Christ’s grace, not their works (Luke 18:9-14, Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-30, Romans 4:1-7, Romans 8:3, Romans 9:16, Romans 9:31-32, Romans 11:6, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21, Galatians 5:2-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, Philippians 3:3-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Hebrews 6:1-2, and James 2:10-11).
Line 3: Smart move! After all, Shane & Shane’s righteousness is filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
Line 4: See line 1.
[Verse 2]
Lines 1 and 2: Summarized in Philippians 2:5-8, except for His sinless life. This is found in Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 27:24, John 19:4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 Peter 2:21-23, and 1 John 3:5.
Line 3a: RIghteousness through the law cannot save (Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20-21, Romans 4:13, Romans 9:32, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:10-13, and Galatians 5:4).
Lines 3b and 4: Though Shane & Shane were headed for eternal damnation (Matthew 18:7-9, Matthew 25:41, Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43, Romans 6:23, Jude 1:7, and Revelation 14:11), Jesus, who is the Lamb of God, was slain for them (Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, John 1:36, Acts 8:32, 1 Peter 1:19, Revelation 5:6-8, Revelation 5:12-13, Revelation 6:1, Revelation 7:9-17, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 14:1-10, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:7-9, and Revelation 21:9).
[Chorus]
Lines 1-3: The Koine Greek term “tetelestai” literally means “paid in full”, found in the backs of 1st-century legal documents to indicate full payment of debt. It is also found in John 19:30 in the lips of the Lord Jesus right before He died. Some translate this as “it is finished”. This also coincides with the “certificate of debt” that is nailed to the cross in Colossians 2:14.
Line 4: See commentary on Verse 1, line 2.
[Verse 3]
Lines 1-4: The filthy rags described in my commentary on Verse 1, line 3 are expounded upon here. These dirty garments are laid at Jesus’ feet, showing Shane & Shane’s humility, that they surrender to Him (Psalm 43:5, Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6). In turn, Jesus takes these robes of scarlet and washes them, purifying them as clothing that is white as snow (Isaiah 1:18, Zechariah 3:3-5, Revelation 7:14, and Revelation 22:14). In this, Shane & Shane have no fear of God’s wrath to come (1 John 4:18).
[Verse 4]
Lines 1 and 2: Shane & Shane will persevere until the end (Matthew 24:13, Romans 2:7, 1 John 2:19, and Jude 1:20-25).
Line 3 and 4: That is, when Shane & Shane hears “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21 and Matthew 25:23), they will see the Risen Lord face to face (1 Thessalonians 4:17 and 1 John 3:2).
[Tag]
Lines 1 and 2: Combines a slight call to Casper the friendly ghost with Chorus, line 4.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
This song uses titles such as “Lamb of God”, “Savior”, and “Cross”, alongside explicitly stating Jesus, making it easy for unbelievers to think it’s Christian. Some of this song’s points such as “all sufficient merit”, “righteousness I forfeit at my Savior’s cross”, and “I lay down my garmеnts any empty boast” are not easily understood without deeper research. Not that I’m against those outside Christianity from digging deeper, but many won’t bother.
Despite this song’s heavy usage of Christianese language and deeper, unbelievers should be able to piece together the main points: Jesus died to pay for the error that Shane & Shane committed, Shane & Shane surrender their former lives to follow and live for Jesus, and Shane & Shane intend to follow Him until they die, where they will see Him.
Score: 8/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies Jesus as the heaven-sent all-sufficient sacrifice whose death on the cross compels Shane & Shane to forsake their folly and surrender to His ways.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Shane & Shane’s All Sufficient Merit is amazing. It uses sophisticated language that pulls ideas directly from the Bible to describe Jesus’ migration from heaven to earth, His sacrifice for lawbreaking, Shane & Shane’s surrender to Jesus, steadfast faith to death, and life with Jesus after they die. These glorify God. Although parts of this song may confuse and confound unbelievers, the main ideas will likely not be lost on them.
I highly recommend this song for corporate worship. Despite some of its points that could be confusing to unbelievers, seeker-sensitive churches may consider using it because there’s enough here for them to understand the main ideas. Also, it may cause some to ask questions, which would be a great thing!
Final Score: 9.5/10
Artist Info
Track: All Sufficient Merit (Live) (listen to the song)
Artist: Shane & Shane
Album: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (Live)
Genre: Rock
Release Year: 2023
Duration: 5:31
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Comments
Thiago
This song was actually written by Shane Barnard’s wife Bethany Barnard (nee Dillon who had a prior solo career as a singer and songwriter). She wrote this as a modern hymn. This is not a rock song. The first release of this song is actually in a live worship album from a women’s conference named Flourish, hosted by The Worship Initiative and sung by Bethany.
The comments refuting the line about merit now our own, seem to misunderstand what is being said as it is a poetic way to present how Christ’s righteousness/merit is imputed to us by His sacrifice on the cross when we believe in Him. When God looks upon those who believe in Jesus and in this truth, He sees us pure and righteous as Christ because of the atonement, we now have His merit as a free gift of salvation. Hallelujah!
mynet chat
Thanks for sharing
Sohbet
Thanks for sharing
Tandy Coatney
Could you please comment on the line, “Good works now all corrupted by the sinful host.” What do you think he means by the sinful host?
Vince Wright
Tandy,
Great question!
In biology, a host is a living organism on or in which a parasite lives (see https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/host). In this case, the host is good works and the parasite is sin.
-Vince Wright
Joe
I agree with Bill. The song would be very good but for the line; “Merit now my own”. I further concur that were it written “Merit NOT my own, it would be more powerful and also biblical. I think it’s a very catchy song – but we have to be cautious to scrutinize these things and test them against the Word of God.
Gary
Hi, Joe
I, too, questioned that particular phrase at 1st. Thank you for being careful about what you say or sing.
I believe that it’s entirely legitimate to say that Christ’s Righteousness, imputed to me by my faith in His payment alone, is now mine, because He gave it to me.
II Corinthians 5:21, “He made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be made sin for us, so that we could be made the Righteousness of God in Him.” We are now “the righteousness of God”, not from our own efforts, but because His Merit is credited to our account.
It is now our own, but only because it is given/credited/imputed to us.
If someone gives you something, it is truly yours, even as you would acknowledge it was not of your own doing that you got it.
In that sense you can say that it’s “now your own”, even as you acknowledge it didn’t originate with you, it’s still yours.
I think the context of the rest of the song makes this clear.
Mike
The sinful host is us… our good works are as filthy rags, for we are imperfect.
Gary
“The sinful host” refers to the one doing and presenting the good works. This is the meaning of Isaiah 64:6, “our righteousnesses (good works) are like filthy rags.”
The picture is one the readers in Isaiah’s day would recognize, referring to lepers.
Leprosy was used as a metaphor or picture of sin in Scripture. Not that lepers were more sinful, but that leprosy infects, corrupts, and decays, eventually ending in death, so it’s a fitting picture of sin. Today, we use similar figurative language, saying that sin is “a Cancer” in one’s life.
The lepers, suffering terrible, oozing sores, would wrap their wounds with clean, white cloths for relief. The cloth would cover the ugliness of the sores temporarily, but would soon be spoiled and “filthy” from the infectious wounds.
The cloth didn’t make the wound clean or whole, instead the wound polluted the good clean cloths into “filthy rags”.
Our good works may cover our sinful appearance temporarily, but they do nothing to solve the real sin problem and make us pure before God. Our good works are actually corrupted by our own sinfullness.
Cleanness is not transmitted from the “clean cloths” of good works applied to our sin, our sinfulness is transmitted from “the sinful host” (the one doing the good works) onto the works themselves, rendering them ineffectual and offensively corrupted.
The lyric is a beautiful summary of this Biblical truth.
BZ
I don’t believe the merit of Christ is the same as the righteousness of Christ; if one believes they are equivalent then I can see where the lyrics are biblical, but if the merit of Christ encompasses what I believe it encompasses then the lyrics are not biblical. We as believers share in the benefits of Christ’s merit (which includes imputed righteousness) but that is NOT the same as being able to claim the merit of Christ which reliance on is the basis of out salvation. However, even “reliance upon” and ” from which I as a believer receive eternal, soul saving benefit ” is NOT equivalent to possessing; the all sufficient merit (which encompasses much more than the righteousness of Christ) upon which a believer”s salvation is based shall always be Christ’s and His alone.
Vince Wright
BZ,
Thank you for your comments!
I think that “All sufficient merit” is used as a title for Jesus, not that Shane & Shane has inherited the merit of Christ. It is He whom they possess, as well as His righteousness, not His merit.
-Vince Wright
Bill Zilbeaty
Vince, thanks for reply. I cannot totally dispute your comment above, yet I believe that it is not totally correct ( as well as the analysis by The Berean Test), because it does not touch on what I believe is the most important ,and incorrect in my opinion, phrase of the song which is ” All sufficient merit NOW my own “. I think S&S missed it by ONE LETTER. The more correct ( theologically ) phrase should be ” All sufficient merit NOT my own ” as I do not believe Christ’s righteousness is the same as His merit (His righteousness is a PART of His
merit, but Christ’s merit encompasses much more than His righteousness).
In the context of the song, I do NOT see that ALL SUFFICIENT MERIT is a synonym for Christ. His merit is not the same as His personhood.
To OBTAIN the merit of Christ , instead of forever RELYING TOTALLY UPON the merit of Christ for our salvation , by faith, would , from that point forward, take way the need the need for a believer to rely upon Christ for salvation. We do not BECOME Christ (nor Little Christs ) when we are born again ( we do NOT get God or Christ in our DNA , EVER, as Louis Giglio and others believe ). The merit of Christ includes His total eternal personhood , to include His walking in perfect obedience on earth to fulfill the law, His complete redemptive work, His death, burial and resurrection…..We as believers gloriously BENEFIT from ALL that encompasses Christ’s merit, to include His full work of redemption, but we shall NEVER EVER OBTAIN HIS MERIT, not even on our glorified state, but we shall FOREVER , BY FAITH, RECEIVE THE benefits of His merit ( upon which His redemptive work is approved by the Father and by which we are saved ) by fully RELYING UPON HIS FULL MERIT for salvation.
You may believe I’m really splitting hairs here but to believe that Christians obtain the merit of Christ, instead of rely totally upon His merit for salvation, is a huge difference. Again, my comment here and my other comments, are based on the underlying premise that the merit of Christ encompasses more than the righteousness of Christ and is what the righteousness of Christ is based upon by God the Father.
Thanks
Bill Zilbeaty
Tandy
Very important distinction between Christ’s merit and righteousness. I could almost go with Vince’s response (all-sufficient merit standing for Christ) except at the very end of the song (where lyrics are not even appearing on the screen) he sings, “Your merit now my own.” Not true.
Bill Z
Totally agree Tandy. They missed it by one letter. Should be ” all sufficient merit, NOT my own “
Kyeong
I am so glad to find a believer of Christ, the Word of God!
The merit belongs to our Lord Christ alone, not just then, but now and forever more.
God reveals this also in the book of Revelation. The 24 elders cast their crowns of victory at the feet of Christ, acknowledging all the merit belongs to Him, Christ Jesus alone! They continually sing Hallelujah forever and ever because the merit is not our own but the merit belongs to Christ alone!!!
Troy Ernst
I just want to add that the turn of phrase, “all sufficient merit” comes from Charles Wesley’s 18th century hymn, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.” Towards the end of the 2nd verse are the words:
“By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.”
The hymn itself is beautiful and sung often at Christmas. It’s one of my favorites!
Elizabeth Nash
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.