117. Not to Ourselves We Owe

S.M.
by A.M. Toplady
1
Not to ourselves we owe
 
That we, O God, are Thine;
 
Jesus, the Lord, our night broke through
 
And gave us light divine.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
2
The Father’s grace and love,
 
This blessèd mercy gave,
 
And Jesus left the throne above,
 
His wandering sheep to save.
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38)
“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying. What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” (Luke 15:1-6)
3
No more the heirs of wrath — 
 
Thy sovereign love we see;
 
And, Father, in confiding faith,
 
We cast our souls on Thee.
“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” (Ephesians 2:3)
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:20-24)
4
Our hearts look up to see
 
The glory Thou hast given,
 
And dwell e’en now where we shall be
 
With Christ, Thine heirs, in heaven.
“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4)
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17)
“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.” (Philippians 1:23)
5
With the adopted band,
 
Soon shall we see Thee there:
 
With them and Him in glory stand,
 
And all His honors share.
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)
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Little Flock Hymnbook Index