Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
2. Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
3. Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
4. Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
The hymn “Living for Jesus” was written in 1917 by Thomas O. Chisholm (lyrics) and C. Harold Lowden (music). It is a heartfelt expression of Christian devotion, focusing on a life fully surrendered to Jesus Christ. The hymn emphasizes daily obedience, self-sacrifice, and joyful service—core values of Christian discipleship.
The Story Behind the Hymn
Thomas O. Chisholm, the lyricist, is also well known for writing the words to “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” He led a humble life, having worked as a teacher, pastor, and insurance agent, and he often wrote poetry and hymns that reflected his deep personal faith.
Chisholm wrote “Living for Jesus” during a time when many Christians were becoming more aware of the importance of daily, practical discipleship—not just belief, but living out faith in every aspect of life. His own spiritual journey, marked by quiet commitment rather than dramatic events, inspired him to write about the everyday dedication required to follow Jesus.
After writing the text, Chisholm sent it to C. Harold Lowden, a church musician and composer. Lowden was moved by the words and composed the tune that is now inseparably associated with the hymn. The refrain, with its simple and singable melody, reinforces the message of total surrender and devotion:
“O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee;
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me…”
Themes and Meaning
The hymn is built around the core message of Romans 12:1:
“I urge you, brothers and sisters… to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Each verse of the hymn reflects on different aspects of living for Jesus:
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Serving Him in all we do
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Bearing the cost of discipleship
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Finding joy in surrender
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Offering one's whole self as a willing sacrifice
Legacy and Use
“Living for Jesus” has been widely used in church services, youth revivals, and personal devotion. It resonates with people seeking to affirm or renew their commitment to Christ. The hymn’s enduring popularity stems from its clear message, gentle melody, and practical theology of faith in action.
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