Christ Jesus My Lord From Heaven Came

By Frank E. Roush

Lyrics

1. Christ Jesus my Lord from heaven came,
To save me from guilt and sin and shame;
His death on the cross of Calvary
Brought pardon and gave me liberty.

Chorus:
I love Him because He first loved me,
He first loved me, He first loved me;
I love Him because He first loved me,
And died on the cross of Calvary.

2. He sweat drops of blood in prayer for me,
Heartbroken in dark Gethsemane.,
While angels from blessèd realms of light
Gave strength to His aching heart that night.

3. Up Calvary’s hill the cross He bore,
And for me a crown of thorns He wore;
They nailed Him upon the tree to die,
Then darkness came over earth and sky.

4. My Lord who was slain by sinful man,
A wonderful Friend to me has been;
He rose from the tomb with victory,
And now I love Him who first loved me.

Bible Reference

Philippians 2:6–7

About This Hymn

“Christ Jesus My Lord From Heaven Came” was written by Frank E. Roush, a hymn writer and minister known for his gospel songs in the early twentieth century. The hymn focuses on the incarnation of Christ, declaring the wonder that the eternal Son of God left the glories of heaven to take on human flesh and become the Savior of mankind. The opening line sets the tone, drawing attention to the humility of Christ as He willingly came from above to redeem sinners. Rooted in Philippians 2:6–7, it celebrates both the majesty of Christ and His gracious condescension in love.

The hymn highlights the sacrifice of Christ, not only in His incarnation but also in His death on the cross. By leaving heaven and taking the form of a servant, Jesus revealed the depth of God’s love and the cost of salvation. Frank Roush’s words remind the believer that this act was not one of compulsion but of willing obedience to the Father’s will. In this way, the hymn serves as both a declaration of doctrine and a call to worship, lifting the heart to adore the One who humbled Himself for our sake.

Sung in revival gatherings and worship services, “Christ Jesus My Lord From Heaven Came” encouraged Christians to marvel at the mystery of the incarnation and to respond with lives of gratitude and devotion. Like many gospel hymns of its era, it combined simple, memorable poetry with deep theological truth, making it both singable and spiritually rich. The hymn continues to echo the central truth of Christianity: that Christ came down from heaven so that through His death and resurrection, sinners might be lifted up to eternal life with Him.