Depraved, yet Saved
Again I wonder on this earth
Which I reject as my land of birth. What is its value, anyway? Not sky, nor sea, nor night, nor day-- For if such are worthy things, All we here are more than kings. More than kings, yes, gods divine, For on all men the sun does shine. Perhaps this place is passing fair, But for the devils it is lair! See this beauty, see this charm; Yet here is evil; here is harm! What shall I say of this our land? Has it not see man’s bloody hand? What shall I say of this our sky? Has it not seen us falsely lie? What shall I say of this our sea? Theft is there, and piracy! What shall I say of this our air? For man’s dark lies have passed through there! But who has done all these great sins? Is it the spider, as she spins? For though her webs are dangerous, She is simple, not murderous! Then what disturbed true peace and love? Is it the birds, that fly above? For every year spent in his life, The bird embraces another wife! But to them God does not say, “Take your wife, and with her stay.” This rule is not for those that fly; For this deed they will not die. Have dogs made the heavens weep? For though cats labor, hyenas reap. These eat meat, but do not hunt; The lazy are filled, the diligent want. Does earth groan for this beast’s theft When prey is stolen and none is left? But this is right for beasts that crawl; The cause is elsewhere—for man does all! Who is evil but man alone? He has made creation groan! Evil is in his heart always; He is wicked from his youngest days! And what he does that could be right He does not do for the sake of light, But for his god’s or his intent; Not for good are good deeds meant! Mankind is evil and always bad; From birth no goodness he has had! Men alone serve other gods! Who but he before stone nods? None but he will bow to wood; None but mankind ever could! None but he can worship thoughts Till in Tartarus he rots! Have not men been made like God? They are measured by his rod! Yet of this order mankind cries, “Unfair and foul!” to the skies. Men make God look like a calf Or break sovereignty his in half! Men do not see God aright, Concealing justice in the night! The world’s evil is past weight: Dishonor, murder, heart-felt hate; Lust and rape—adultery; Thieving and dishonesty! Malice, strife, and wantonness; Slander, envy, haughtiness; Boastfulness and gossiping; Conceiving all is coveting. Man does not want to be saved; Until God acts he is depraved. Though God does command and call, Man laughs and runs unto his fall. The sinner cannot pay God’s dues; Thus men the law justly pursues. Until they meet the imps of hell, They revel, shouting, “All is well!” Only God makes man repent When effective calling he has sent. This word will not return empty, But does God’s pleasure speedily! The sinner’s will in chains is bound In dungeons lost beneath the ground. It cannot fight what God has said, Nor can turn back when God has led. God is holy! God is just! God is righteous! Judge he must! So he sent his only Son Whom I fought, yet who has won! He stands as judge victorious; Yet giving men his righteousness! It is useless to resist, For God has made them to desist. What God has done is always sure; Undefiled; it is pure. That which is has been before, Renewed afresh from time’s great store. What is to be is not unheard, But is recalled by God’s strong word. Does not God seek what man has thrown? Does not he seek it for his own? “Return, return, you poor of earth”-- Can a babe prevent his birth? How much less can those in graves Hinder the Sovereign when he saves! And if babes crawl not from wombs, Can men at will rise from their tombs? In this work God has no aid; On only him it has been laid. Man is evil, hating good; He cannot do right, although he should; He cannot turn from evil ways, So he serves Mammon all his days. Only God can save man’s soul; To sin is mankind’s only role! Praise the Lord, for he is strong, Yet has been gracious all along! Depraved, yet Saved; Copyright © 2013 by Caleb |
Scriptural allusions:
Matthew 5:45 Romans 1:29 Romans 1:29, 30 Romans 1:29, 30 Romans 1:29 Isaiah 55:11 Isaiah 55:11 Ecclesiastes 3:14 Ecclesiastes 3:14 Ecclesiastes 3:15 Ecclesiastes 3:15 Ecclesiastes 3:15 Ecclesiastes 3:15 Ecclesiastes 3:15 Ecclesiastes 3:15 |
"A man cannot do good before he is made good." ~Martin Luther