“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
I HAVE sinned and death’s my wages,
Banishment ― eternal woe,
Everlasting outer darkness,
Righteousness demands it so.
In God’s Word this doom is written
Plainly for my soul to read,
Sinner ― and by nature sinful,
Evil, both in thought and deed.
Though my sins so dreadful―hateful
To the holy eye of God,
What is this I read of pardon,
“For His sake “ and “ Through His blood.”
Who is this my soul would succor?
Who can overcome the grave?
Hark! a still small Voice doth answer,
“JESUS CAME THE LOST TO SAVE.”
“ SON OF GOD AND GREAT CREATOR,
FOUND ON EARTH IN LOWLY GUISE,
TENDER, GRACIOUS MEDIATOR,
UNTO HIM LIFT UP THINE EYES.
“SEE HIM UNTO DEATH OBEDIENT,
ON THE CROSS HE BEARS THY SIN,
THERE THE CUP OF WRATH, GOD’S JUDGMENT,”
THERE TO DEATH HE ENTERS IN.
“BOWED IN DEATH HIS BLOOD IS FLOWING,
ALL REQUIRED TO MEET THY NEED,
FOR THY SINS ATONEMENT MAKING,
PERFECT SACRIFICE INDEED.
“PRINCE OF LIFE―OF WORLDS THE MAKER,
WILLINGLY HE DIED FOR THEE,
LOVED THEE ― MADE HIMSELF THY SAVIOUR,
PAID THY DEBT UPON TILE TREE.
“AT THE CROSS GOD’S CLAIMS WERE SETTLED,
CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS BLED FOR THEE,
RAISED BY GOD, HIS WORK ACCEPTED;
THOU ART JUSTIFIED ― SET FREE.”
Jesus Son of God, my Saviour,
Oh what grace, what love I see!
Life the GIFT, and God the Giver,
Mine forever, sure in Thee.
C. E.