AS I RECEIVED CHRIST AT THE FIRST
Don Fortner
(Tune: Must Jesus Bear the Cross
Alone? #342 CM)
How can a wretched soul unclean,
With heart as cold as stone,
So full of unbelief and sin,
Hope that it’s heaven born?
With temper vile and horrid pride,
Can I yet claim God’s grace?
My sin, which cannot be denied,
Has robbed my soul of peace.
Yet, in this state, I turn anew
To Jesus crucified,
With weeping eyes the Savior view,
And hope I’m justified.
Christ Jesus died for sinners’ sake.
(And that I know I am!)
The ground He gives I humbly take,
And trust my Lord, the Lamb.
I have no other righteousness
Than that which Jesus gives.
It’s by His merit (Gift of grace!)
That this poor sinner lives!
As I received Christ at the first,
So now I come to Him -
A sinner base and full of lusts,
Whose only hope is Him!