Religious Profession Challenged.

Narrator: Chris Genthree
Listen from:
“WHAT think you of Christ?” is the test
To try both your state and your scheme;
You cannot be right in the rest
Unless you think rightly of Him.
As Jesus appears in your view, ―
As He is beloved or not;
So God is disposed to you,
And mercy or wrath is your lot.
Some take Him a Creature to be―
A man, or an angel at most;
But they have not feelings like me,
Nor know themselves wretched and lost:
So guilty, so helpless am I,
I durst not confide in His blood,
Nor on His protection rely,
Unless I was sure He is God.
Some call Him a Saviour in word,
But mix their own works with His plan;
And hope He His help will afford
When they have done all that they can:
If doings prove rather too light
(A little they own they may fail),
They purpose to make up full weight
By casting His Name in the scale.
Some style Him “the Pearl of great price,”
And say He’s the fountain of joys;
Yet feed upon folly and vice,
And cleave to the world and its toys:
Like Judas, the Saviour they kiss,
And, while they salute him, betray.
Oh, what will profession like this
Avail in His terrible day!
If asked what of Jesus I think,
Though still my best thoughts are but poor,
I say, He’s my meat and my drink,
My life and my strength and my store!
My Shepherd, any trust, and my Friend;
My Saviour from sin and from thrall;
My hope from beginning to end,
My portion, my Lord, and my all!”
JOHN NEWTON.