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!