If I Believe
If I believe that Jesus died for me,
Why would I hesitate to live for him?
Should not a life of serving Jesus be
A goal so bright it makes all others dim?
If I believe that Jesus died for all,
And if I’ve read where it is written: go,
How dare I close my hearing to the call
When all the world has need of truth I know?
If I believe that Jesus paid the price
For every debt that can be spoken of
Would it not be a highly shameful vice
To close my mouth and speak not of his love?
If I believe that God desires to save,
And that the gospel charge was meant for me,
How can I watch as sinners fill the grave
Without proclaiming Christ and Calvary?
If I believe that God gave us his Son,
Why would I hesitate to give my best,
To tell in people’s ears what God has done,
And work to rescue souls by sin oppressed?
If I believe that Jesus gave himself
To ransom Adam’s dissipated race,
What shame to leave the gospel on the shelf,
And live a thoughtless life of easy grace!
If truly I believe, then I will speak.
Lord, give me faith to live out your commands.
By grace I can be strong, though I am weak,
And spread the gospel into distant lands.
I do believe and preach the truth I must.
I can’t but speak the things I’ve seen and heard.
The gospel is committed to my trust,
And I will make disciples of the word.
Ezra Brainard, November 2017