Humanity wants to believe men are good,
Though none of us do what we know people should.
We’re riddled with selfishness, envy, and pride,
And though we may hide it, sin’s reigning inside.
Though many will try, no one rightly controls
The fires of passion that rage in our souls.
The virtuous person may seem to make ground
In keeping the fire from spreading around,
But no one is able to utterly choke
The smoldering embers and source of the smoke.
Some turn to religion with man’s made up laws,
Created, like fig leaves, to cover their flaws,
But this is a bandaid, not fit for the use.
We need something better than rules can produce.
We need to be able to open our hearts,
Not hiding the painful and unpleasant parts,
But looking our record of sin in the face,
Admit that we’re broken and badly need grace.
We find it in Jesus, who judges what’s right,
But doesn’t condemn when He floods us with light.
The gospel alone gives us freedom from guilt
And fosters a climate where trust can be built.
Confiding in Jesus, who died for our sin,
Is where the true change in our life can begin.
He died, and He also rose up from the grave—
The power that raised Him is able to save;
It sanctifies those who will come and receive
The free gift He offers when people believe.
In man-made religions, the good are esteemed;
In biblical thinking, the bad are redeemed.
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