# The Rebel’s Surrender to Grace.–Lord, What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do? explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

The poem depicts a rebellious sinner who, after long resistance, is conquered by divine love and mercy. The speaker acknowledges past defiance and blasphemy, but upon seeing a bleeding Savior and receiving pardon, surrenders fully to God, dedicating all faculties to His service.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The poem celebrates the irresistible grace of God that conquers even the most stubborn rebel.

### Redemption and Salvation

The speaker experiences redemption and salvation through Christ's sacrifice, moving from rebellion to surrender.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

The speaker of the poem, a former rebel who surrenders to grace.

### Jesus Christ

The bleeding Savior whose love and sacrifice conquer the rebel's heart.

### Satan

The adversary in whose cause the rebel previously served.

### Grace

Personified as the mighty force that compels surrender.

## Key lines

> Lord, thou hast won—at length I yield— My heart, by mighty grace compell’d, Surrenders all to thee;

Lord, you have finally triumphed; I give in, my heart forced by your powerful grace, and I surrender everything to you.

_The opening lines express the speaker's complete capitulation to divine grace._

> But since thou hast thy love reveal’d, And shown my soul a pardon seal’d, I can resist no more.

But because you have shown me your love and assured me of my forgiveness, I can no longer resist.

_The revelation of love and pardon breaks the speaker's resistance._

> If thou hadst bid thy thunders roll, And lightnings flash, to blast my soul, I still had stubborn been; But mercy has my heart subdued— A bleeding Saviour I have view’d, And now I hate my sin.

If you had sent thunder and lightning to destroy me, I would have remained stubborn; but your mercy has softened my heart—I have seen the bleeding Savior, and now I hate my sin.

_The contrast between judgment and mercy highlights the transformative power of seeing Christ's sacrifice._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/121-the-rebel-s-surrender-to-grace-lord-what-wilt-thou-have-me-to-do
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters