HYMN OF THEÂ MONTH:
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
by Julia Johnston, 1849-1919
Our theme for 2025 is "We Believe" and we're exploring core biblical doctrines we can pass to the next generation using hymns as a teaching tool. This month we're looking at one particular aspect of the doctrine of man: God created us to be fully His. He is our everything.Â
Julia Johnston had a way with words—and it ran in the family.

Her grandmother was a poet. Her mother was a poet. And by the age of nine, Julia was writing poems of her own.
As she grew, so did her gift. She didn’t just write poetry—she wrote with melody in mind, always hoping someone would set her words to music.
Over the course of her life, more than 500 of her poems became hymns, thanks to musicians and hymnal editors who saw their potential and paired them with fitting tunes.
One of those matches became her most well-known hymn: “Grace That Is Greater Than Our Sin.”
Julia sent the words to respected composer Daniel Towner—and as it happened, he already had the perfect melody waiting.
But Julia’s love for words wasn’t limited to poetry. She poured her heart into teaching, spending more than 40 years leading children in Sunday School.
She also wrote Sunday School lessons during the early years of the David C. Cook Publishing Company, using her writing to reach even more hearts and homes.
At the core of her ministry was humility. Julia saw herself first and foremost as a lifelong learner—always a student in the school of Christ.
That posture shines through in one of her lesser-known poems:
I have partly learned some of my lessons,

Some others but dimly I see;

I was ever, I think, a slow learner:

My Teacher is patient with me;

So patient and tender and loving,

So gentle and kindly His rule,

I care not how simple my lessons,

If they are but taught in His school.
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Read & Relate
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
By Julia Johnston, 1849-1919
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Titus 2:11; 1 John 4:16; John 1:29
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.
Romans 5:20-22; Hebrews 4:16; John 1:16
Sin and despair like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the Refuge, the mighty Cross.
Psalm 130:3-4; Hebrews 6:18; 1 Peter 2:24
Dark is the stain that we cannot hide,
What can avail to wash it away?
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide;
Whiter than snow you may be today.
Isaiah 1:18; Ephesians 1:7; Titus 3:5
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe;
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?
Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 12:20-21; John 3:16
