A Romans 7 Requiem

Stragglers, strugglers, and sinners are we all,

Ever since the first, great fall,

Theologians call it depravity,

A curse afflicting both you and me,

I need no preacher to diagnose my condition,

I know too well my predisposition,

I too often do what I wish I would not,

I too often find that I hate what I’ve got,

“Who shall deliver me,” I join in the cry,

Will this body of death be mine till I die?

Then I look to a cross and a death far away,

To the words of a gospel I need every day,

Save me, Jesus! For you alone can,

Forgive what I’ve done and create a new man,

I thank my God that Your life I can claim,
That what I am and will be are not the same.

Believe Me

Broke down with guilt from all my sin,

I look to Him and cry, “Save me!”

-His blood alone can once atone,

-And cover all I’ve ever done,

In His Word He says, “Believe me!”

Warring against the sin within,

I look to Him and cry, “Help me!”

            -His Spirit fills my weakened heart,

            -And fights for me the greater part,

In His Word He says, “Believe me!”

Dying at the last like other men,

I look to Him and cry, “Take me!”

            -My heart will stop its constant beat,

            -And face to face we’ll finally meet,

In His Word He says, “Believe me!”