1Co_2:16
The whole of mankind may correctly be divided into natural and spiritual, and these are as distinct as the dead and the living. The natural man has no spirit, and cannot therefore discern spiritual things. In the new birth a spirit is implanted in us, and thus we gain spiritual faculties, we live in a spiritual atmosphere, and are capable of spiritual joys. Have we received this higher life? Have we the mind of Christ? Lord, work it in us, for Jesus’ sake!
Mighty Redeemer! set me free
From my old state of sin;
Oh, make my soul alive to thee,
Create new powers within.
Renew mine eyes; and form mine ears,
And mould my heart afresh;
Give me new passions, joys, and fears,
And turn the stone to flesh.
Far from the regions of the dead,
From sin, and earth, and hell,
In the new world that grace has made,
I would for ever dwell.
Teach me, my God and King,
In all things thee to see;
And what I do in anything,
To do it as for thee.
All may of thee partake,
Nothing so small can be
But draws, when acted for thy sake,
Greatness and worth from thee.
If done beneath thy laws,
E’en servile labours shine;
Hallowed is toil, if this the cause,
The meanest work, divine.
Allied to thee, our vital Head,
We act, and grow, and thrive:
From thee divided, each is dead
When most he seems alive.
Thy saints on earth, and those above,
Here join in sweet accord:
One body all in mutual love,
And thou our common Lord.
Thou the whole body wilt present
Before thy Father’s face!
Nor shall a wrinkle or a spot
Its beauteous form disgrace.
There is a house not made with hands,
Eternal, and on high,
And here my spirit waiting stands,
Till God shall bid it fly.
Shortly this prison of my clay
Must be dissolved and fall:
Then, O my soul! with joy obey
Thy heavenly Father’s call.
‘
Tis he, by his almighty grace,
That forms thee fit for heaven;
And, as an earnest of the place,
Has his own Spirit given.
Be not yoked unequally
With the unbelieving race;
For what concord can there be
With the heirs of sin and grace?
Sin opposes sanctity;
Darkness, light doth ever shun,
Right and wrong can ne’er agree,
Christ and Belial ne’er be one.
Wherefore be ye separate,
Nor with sinners hold accord,
While ye in a holy state,
Bear the vessels of the Lord.
Bound by his word, he will display,
A strength proportion’d to our day;
And, when united trials meet,
Will show a path of safe retreat.
Thus far we prove that promise good,
Which Jesus ratified with blood:
Still he is gracious, wise, and just,
And still in him let Israel trust.
Do I believe what Jesus saith,
And think his gospel true?
Lord, make me bold to own my faith,
And practise virtue too.
Suppress my shame, subdue my fear,
Arm me with heavenly zeal;
That I may make thy power appear,
And works of praise fulfil.
If men should see my virtue shine
And spread my name abroad,
Thine is the power, the praise be thine,
My Saviour, and my God.
What have I else whereof to boast?
A sinner by myself undone,
And still, without thy mercy, lost,
I glory in thy cross alone.
Conform’d to my expiring Head,
I share thy passion on the tree;
And now I to the world am dead,
And all the world is dead to me.
Go, you that rest upon the law,
And toil and seek salvation there;
Look to the flame that Moses saw,
And shrink, and tremble, and despair.
But I’ll retire beneath the cross;
Saviour, at thy dear feet I’ll lie;
And the keen sword that Justice draws,
Flaming and red, shall pass me by.