Your Weekend Hymn Special...

Don't tell Bob Kauflin, but we sing this to the tune of "A Debtor to Mercy Alone" as it was released on Bob's Hymn Project CD.

What You Think of Christ is the Test
What you think 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 disposèd to you,
And mercy, or wrath are… your lot.

Some take him a creature to be,
A man, or an angel at most;
Sure these have not feelings like me,
Nor know themselves wretched and lost:
So guilty, so helpless, am I,
I dare 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 Savior they kiss,
And, then while they greet Him, betray;
Ah! What will profession like this,
Avail in the judgment… that 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, my Husband, my Friend,
My Savior from sin and from thrall;[1]
My hope from beginning to end,
My Portion, my LORD, and… my All.

Original lyrics by John Newton. Altered by Paul W. Martin. Music by Bob Kauflin. © 1998 PDI Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. CCLI Song #2943095 CCLI License #2048851

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[1] “Thrall” means “slavery”