Poetry With A Mission



...a thought provoking poetical exercise.

“He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake” (1 Peter 1:20).

“Consequently He is able for all time to save those who approach him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25).

“For by grace [on God’s part] you have been saved through faith [belief, trust, acceptance. God declares us righteous not because we are, but because of our faith in Christ, and our desire to obey Him. When a sinner gives them self to the Lord, accepting Him as their Saviour, then sinful as their life might have been, they are accounted (considered, treated as) righteous], and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God [Christ took on His shoulders our punishment, stood in our place, paid the price we deserved to pay] – not the result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8,9).

“He [Christ] saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy [grace]...” (Titus 3:5).

“You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace” (Gal 5:4).

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” (Isa 64:6, KJV). Note also Ps 51:5.

“Do we then overthrow [make void] the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law [the Ten Commandments are the standard of righteousness, the transcript of Divine will, and the revelation of God’s character]” (Rom 3:31, ESV).

“...Yet, if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet’ ” (Rom 7:7, ESV).

“Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith apart from works is barren?” (James 2:20).

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17, ESV).

“Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4).

“Whoever says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4, ESV).

“So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty [the Ten Commandments. Here’s the key: — In the context of salvation (Justification – right standing before God), law keeping is of no avail, but in the context of Christian conduct (Sanctification – right living before God), God’s law has value and validity]” (James 2:12).

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after  receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries” (Heb 10:26,27, ESV).

“ ‘Thus you will know them by their fruits [a Christian does right because he is a Christian, never in order to be a Christian]’ ” (Matt 7:20).

God's Gift Of Grace

Oh, how great God’s gift of grace, that’s so mercifully bestowed on all who such seek,
A heavenly grace that doesn’t differentiate between the strong and the weak.
In other words, salvation for sinners, who contritely upon the Father call,
Yes, an amazing way of escape, that love and mercy set in place before the Fall.

No other way to secure eternity, and a home in Heaven, can be found,
Therefore, any who disagree with such, are holding to something that's most unsound,
For given our fallen condition, we wouldn't have a hope of making the grade,
As our best is still unworthy, hence why Christ that penalty and debt met and paid.

Yes, what our Saviour did on that cross at Calvary, is the only thing that can save,
In other words, Christ's sacrificial act -- it has nothing to do with how we behave.
It's the acceptance of God’s grace that saves, and it’s right at that moment that we’re saved,  
For works cannot and don’t play a part here, despite some having thus foolishly slaved. 

On the other hand, once having accepted God's grace, we shouldn't just there remain,
For God intended that from that very point, rebellion in our lives no longer reign.
You see, accepting God's grace is one thing, but if just there it selfishly ends with us, 
We’ve effectively just taken a ticket and not bothered to get on the bus. 

Though we’re undoubtedly saved by grace alone, our God desires us free of all sin,
Therefore, via studying His Ten Commandments, we can see where He wants us to begin. 
In other words, His Law shows us the standard of conduct that Christians should display,
A standard that He has always desired His people live up to, and no less today. 

After all, it's because this unchangeable moral Law could not be set aside,
That Christ came to Earth, lived a life of perfect obedience, and on Calvary died.
And therefore, He wants us to obey this law too, but He wants it kept out of love,
Which we out of gratitude and wisdom should attempt, aided via strength from above.

And hence why He very graciously sent the Holy Spirit when He ascended, 
Who helps to bring about those changes that are needed, and what Christ desires rendered. 
Even though Christ paid our debt in full, He knows that obedience and change will show
Just how much we truly appreciate the depths to which He willingly chose to go.

After all, if we don’t attempt to keep God’s Law, we gross ingratitude thus show
Giving little thought to all that He did on our behalf when here on Earth below. 
Though it’s He, via the Holy Spirit, who changes us, we still have our part to play,
Via receptively allowing Him to do His work within our hearts every day.

Because our Saviour is so forgiving, there are many who with His grace just play,
But He is also a God of justice, and in due time, justice will have its day.
Even though His gift of grace is free, He didn't intend that His grace be abused,
For let's face it, just selfishly taking grace alone, simply sees our Saviour used.

And hence why it clearly states in Scripture, that if God’s moral Law isn’t obeyed
We will thereby nullify His grace in our lives, and the penalty that He paid.
Not because obedience saves, let me quickly add, but simply because it’s the fruit
The fruitage that shows that it's His will we do, and not just that which ourselves will suit.

You see, God needs to see that we’re genuine, that we truly do mean what we say,
Which the keeping of His Ten Commandments -- willingly, that is -- will clearly convey.
For as I mentioned, even though God knows that only grace can release us from our plight,
He never intended for one moment that grace free us from doing what is right.

No, such amazing grace doesn’t give us licence to just do whatever we please,
But rather, it daily empowers -- in fact, moment by moment -- and from sin's hold it frees.
Therefore, gratitude should spring from our joyful hearts, and have us falling to our knees,
Thanking and praising our Saviour, whose amazing love, saw Him go to such degrees.

By Lance Landall


(refer to diagram below - you may have to wait for it to appear)

You may also wish to read the following poems "Once Saved, Always Saved", "A Deep Conversation", "Grace And Obedience", "Balancing Grace".